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Tolson's Chapel © Jennie Avila

Guitar, Lead Vocal, Kokirikko, Cabasa - Jennie Avila · #2 Ubang - Steve Wright · Back up vocals - Asbury United Methodist Church Choir, Hagerstown, MD
( Maylon Jones, Willie Gandy, Eddie Smith, Pam Jones, Courtney Jones, Isabella Ford, Susie Wright, Darlene Bell )

Hillary Watson's tombstone stands in the graveyard of Tolson's Chapel. Built by emancipated slaves one year after the end of the Civil War, the one room church was also used as a school for African American children. In a 1915 interview, slave foreman, Hillary Watson, recalled the day the son of his former master offered him a paying job, saying, "Now Hilary, you're your own man. Pap wants to hire you, but you can go and work wherever you please." Edie Wallace, President of "Friends of Tolson's Chapel", suggested that the charismatic AUMC Choir be invited to perform their joyful backup vocals. They truly capture the feelings of freedom the song celebrates.

Chorus: Goin' up to Tolson's Chapel
Goin' up uh huh well well
Goin' up to Tolson's Chapel
Don't that tell all!
Goin' up to Tolson's Chapel
Goin' up uh huh well well
Goin' up to Tolson's Chapel
Don't that tell all!

My name is Hillary Watson and I am free
My boss wants to hire me
My boss wants to hire me
What once was slavery will now be a salary
My boss wants to hire me
Don't that tell all!

Chorus
Mmmmm......

We who built Tolson's, the whole congregation
Praise emancipation
Praise emancipation
The chapel's up the street. Free people sing so sweet
I can hardly keep up with my feet
Don't that tell all!

Chorus...