<P> The song became one of the first African American spirituals to become popular among white Christians . </P> <P> Paul Robeson sang and later recorded an a cappella version, and the American labor movement used the song in the 1930s (sometimes altering the lyrics to reflect the industry being organized). Noted American folk singer Pete Seeger began singing the song some time in the 1930s or 1940s, and in the mid to late 1960s added a new verse ("We are dancing Sarah's circle") to reflect, as he saw it, a more feminist, less hierarchical, less restrictive, and more joyful meaning . These lyrics were publicly sung at least as early as 1969 . Completely revised feminist lyrics were copyrighted in 1975 by Carole Etzler . Folk singer Arlo Guthrie recorded Seeger's version in 1996, with Seeger assisting with music and vocals, for Guthrie's two - record set, More Together Again . In 2006, rock musician Bruce Springsteen recorded Seeger's version of Jacob's Ladder for his album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions . </P> <P> Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon recorded an a cappella version of the song for her 1987 album River of Life: Harmony One (Flying Fish Records). It was later included on the soundtrack of the 1991 multipart documentary The Civil War, which was directed by Ken Burns . Jimmy Wolfe, host on WGTB radio in Washington, D.C., called Reagon's recording "a gem". </P> <P> We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder is sung as a call - and - response . The first two lines ("We are / climbing") are call - and - response, while the third line ("Jacob's ladder") is sung together . The first three lines are repeated, followed by a new call - and - response fifth line ("Soldier"), and then a sixth line ("of the cross") sung together . As a folk song, lyrics to We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder varied widely, but one 1907 version listed the lyrics (with response in parentheses) as: </P>

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