Emphasis Preaching Journal

A legend says that Sarah Sheppard tried to kill herself in the Cumberland River in 1847. She had been told that she would be sold "down the river" to Mississippi. But her baby daughter had not been sold. This tragic separation called forth her vow of suicide. And she might have ended her life but for the word of an old woman prophet who prevented her. "Wait!" she said. "Let the sweet chariot of the Lord swing low. There's a great work for this baby to do on earth." So Sarah Sheppard made up a song to sing to her baby.