"Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)" is an

African-American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from any of the Black racial groups of Africa. ...

spiritual that was first printed in 1899. It was likely composed by enslaved

African Americans African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from any of the Black racial groups of Africa ...

in the 19th century. The song was first published in William Eleazar Barton's 1899 ''Old Plantation Hymns'' but was described in writings prior to this publication. In 1940, it was included in the Episcopal Church hymnal, making it the first spiritual to be included in any major American hymnal. It is also unique in that it is the only African-American song included in the

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. As reported in

Howard Thurman Howard Washington Thurman (November 18, 1899 – April 10, 1981) was an American author, philosopher, theologian, Christian mystic, educator, and civil rights leader. As a prominent religious figure, he played a leading role in many social just ...

's autobiography, the song was one of

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's favorites. The song has been recorded by artists including

Paul Robeson Paul Leroy Robeson ( ; April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976) was an American bass-baritone concert artist, actor, professional American football, football player, and activist who became famous both for his cultural accomplishments and for h ...

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, Diamond Version (with

Neil Tennant Neil Francis Tennant (born 10 July 1954) is an English singer, songwriter and music journalist, and co-founder of the synth-pop duo the Pet Shop Boys, which he formed with Chris Lowe in 1981. He was a journalist for '' Smash Hits'', and assist ...

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, and

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. A writer from the ''

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'' wrote about

's rendition, saying that "It was as startling and vivid a disclosure of reverent feeling of penetrating pathos as one could imagine."

Lyrics

The following lyrics are those printed in the 1899 ''Old Plantation Hymns''; other variations exist.

References

External links

Recording of performance by Paul RobesonRecording of performance by ReThink Worship
{{Authority control African-American spiritual songs American Christian hymns Music based on the Crucifixion of Jesus Lenten hymns 1899 songs Songs with unknown songwriters 19th-century hymns United States National Recording Registry recordings