Working on a Building

Well, I didn't notice until today that there are two completely different versions of this song. The one I had in mind was Elvis Presley's version (which is basically just the refrain, repeated over and over).

ELVIS

Well, I'm a-workin' on a building

It's a true foundation

I'm holding up the blood-stained

Banner for my Lord

Well, I never get tired (tired, tired)

Of working on the building (for my Lord)

I'm going up to heaven (oh, yeah)

To get my reward

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP-wODhJRPk

Here is an even better rendition by GAITHER VOCAL BAND

Sometimes I'm crying 

But I'm workin...

Sometimes I'm praying

But I'm workin...

Sometimes I'm preaching

But I'm workin...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFfIlMJqh34

And one by the OAK RIDGE BOYS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSQMiTZSmS0

* * *

Now, here's the more traditional Bluegrass song with the same title, but a completely different song.

BLUEGRASS

If I was a sinner I tell you what I would do

I’d quit my sinning and work on a building too

If I was a liar I tell you what I would do

I’d quit my lying and work on a building too

If I was a drunkard I tell you what I would do

I’d quit my drinking and work on a building too

If I was a gambler I tell you what I would do

I’d quit my gambling and work on a building too

If I was a preacher I tell you what I would do

I would keep on preaching and work on a building too

REFRAIN:

*It’s a holy ghost building

 It’s a holy ghost building

 It’s a holy ghost building

 For my lord, for my lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFKZJdSLJZw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P0tBjnyzCQ

*Keep in mind that most of the churches up in the hills (Appalachians and Ozarks) are what we call "pentecostal" -- that is, they believe in direct contact with the Holy Spirit, manifested by things such as "speaking in tongues" and "praying through" based on Acts 2:1-11:

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.