Can't Feel At Home

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures and my hopes are all beyond the blue
Where many friends and kindred have gone on before
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Over in glory land there is no dying there
The saints are shouting victory there's singing everywhere
I hear the voice of them that I have heard before
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home oh Lord what would I do
Angel's beckon me to heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Heaven's expecting me that's one I know
I fixed it up with Jesus a long time ago
He will take me through though I am weak and poor
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Oh I have a loving mother over in glory land
I don't expect to stop until I shake her hand
She's gone on before just waiting at heaven's door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Recorded by the Carter Family May 23, 1931. Both Alan Lomax and his father, John, were devoted to finding and recording as much American folk music as possible. They were two of many folklorists of the early 20th century who were traveling through the country gathering the roots of true American culture, folk and blues music. This is just one of many songs that may have been brought to American with the earliest immigrants and passed down from one generation to the next until it was finally captured and preserved by folklorists.