I've been enjoying playing this song when I practice, mostly because it only has two chords (Dm and C). But in the context of the financial debacles we're witnessing this month, I'm finding the old spiritual taking on some new and powerful resonances.
Nina Simone's epic ten minute live version is the classic musically. But for lyrics, I like the Weavers' take the best: Oh sinner man where you gonna run to?Oh sinner man where you gonna run to?
Oh sinner man where you gonna run to?
All on that day. Run to the moon, the moon's a bleeding . . .
etc. Run to the sea, sea's a sinking . . .
etc. Run to the sun, sun's a freezing . . .
etc. Run to the Lord, 'Lord won't you hide me.'
etc. 'Sinner man, you should have been praying.'
etc. Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Of course, many of our financial titans are finding someone else they can run to -- the Federal government -- that will give them succor, at least for a while. In the end, though? The song has me coming over all Christian Socialist. Search 'sinner man' or 'sinnerman' on youtube for various (no doubt sinfully bootlegged) versions.