General William Booth Enters Into Heaven

Booth led boldly with his big bass drum
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
The Saints smiled gravely and they said, “He's come.”
(Washed in the blood of the Lamb, the blood of the Lamb.)

Walking lepers followed rank on rank
Lurching bravos from the ditches dank
Drabs from the alleyways, drug fiends pale
Minds still passion ridden, soul flowers frail:
Vermin eaten saints with moldy breath
Unwashed legions with the ways of Death
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)

Ev’ry slum had sent its half a score
The round world over (Booth had groaned for more)
Ev'ry banner that the wide world flies
Bloomed with glory and transcendent dyes
Big voiced lasses made their banjoes bang
Tranced, fanatical they shrieked and sang;
“Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”

Hallelujah, Lord! It was queer to see
Bull necked convicts with that land make free
Loons with trumpets blown a blare, blare, blare
On, on, upward thro' the golden air!
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)

Jesus came from out the court house door
Stretched his hands above the passing poor
Booth saw not, but led his queer ones
Round and round…
Yet! in an instant all that blear review
Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new

The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled
And blind eyes opened on a new, sweet world
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)