This text is an anonymous spiritual, most likely of the African-American tradition. One author categorizes the song as a “communal lament” (Paul Westermeyer, Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 115-116). Another writes, “This text is categorized as a 'sorrow song,' meant for individual rather than group singing” (Robert L. Anderson, The New Century Hymnal Companion, p. 456). What both concur on is that this is not a happy song. The three stanzas in common use are “I want Jesus to walk with me,” “In my trials,” and “When I'm in trouble” (or sometimes “In my sorrows”). All of them focus on a plea for the companionship of Jesus throughout life, using the metaphor of a journey on foot. This spiritual's tune is also anonymous. It is named after Sojourner Truth, the freed slave woman who publicly spoke for freedom and equality for all.

March 6–April 10
Lenten Study — The Hope of Glory
The class will meet in Heartland Hall or you can join on Zoom.

Join us as the two adult classes combine for our Lenten book study by Jon Meacham. As for believers worldwide, the events of Good Friday and Easter reveal essential truths about Christianity. A former vestryman of Trinity Church Wall Street and St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, Meacham delves into that intersection of faith and history in this meditation on the seven phrases Jesus spoke from the cross.