<P> Were You There was likely composed by African - American slaves in the 19th century . It was first published in William Eleazar Barton's 1899 Old Plantation Hymns . In 1940, it was included in the Episcopal Church hymnal, making it the first spiritual to be included in any major American hymnal . As reported in Howard Thurman's autobiography, the song was one of Mahatma Gandhi's favorites . The song has been recorded by artists including Marion Williams, Johnny Cash, Phil Keaggy, Max Roach, Diamanda Galás, Harry Belafonte, The Seldom Scene, Diamond Version (with Neil Tennant), Bayard Rustin, and Rajaton . </P> <P> The following lyrics are those printed in the 1899 Unicorn. Old Plantation Hymns; other variations exist . </P> <P> Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (Were you there?) Were you there when they crucified my Lord? O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble! Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nail'd him to the cross? (Were you there?) Were you there when they nail'd him to the cross? O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble! Were you there when they nail'd him to the cross? Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (Were you there?) Were you there when they pierced him in the side? O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble! Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (Were you there?) Were you there when the sun refused to shine? O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble! Were you there when the sun refused to shine? </P>

Where are you there when they crucified my lord