Perhaps no better beginning can be made towards general classification of the religious songs of the negroes than by introducing some that combine several characteristics, but still have a general theme predominating. Sin is an important factor in the religious life of the negro and his songs refer to it in many forms. The three general tones which pervade the theme are: A note of victory over sin and the conception of it as being in the past or belonging to some other person; the conception of sin as being present and the singer as being in its grasp; and thirdly, the "sinner-man" himself and warnings given him. The very popular song, "All my Sins Done Taken Away" is typical of the first class mentioned above. There is no reason why the stanzas given below should come in the order presented, except that they are heard in this arrangement as much as in any other. The stanzas consist of two rhymed lines with the refrain. These, however, are usually extended to four, the first two and refrain being sung slowly and in a more or less plaintive tone, while the repetition of the same lines with the rhymed line and refrain are rapid and joyous. The common version follows. I'm goin' to heaven an' I don't want ter stop, Yes, I'm goin' to heaven an' I don't want ter stop, _All o' my sins done taken away, taken away_; I'm goin' to heaven an' I don't want ter stop, An' I don't want ter be no stumblin' block, _All my sins done taken away, taken away_. Instead of repeating the chorus line at the end of the first two lines that are sung, the negroes often vary the song by repeating the last half of the line, as in the following stanza: Well "M" for Mary, an' "P" for Paul, Well "M" for Mary, an' "P" for Paul, An' "P" for Paul; Well "M" for Mary an' "P" for Paul. "C" for Chris' who died for us all, _All o' my sins done taken away, taken away_. The chorus is again varied from "all my sins" to "all o' my sins" or "all of my sins," "done taken away," or "bin taken away," while the entire line is sometimes changed in a single stanza. Sometimes it is sung as given above; at other times the line goes: "All my sins done taken away, bin' taken away," or omitting either "done" or "bin" it is sung equally well as "All my sins taken away, taken away," while in the grand chorus at the climax of song the chorus goes: _Yes all o' my sins bin taken away, Yes all my sins done taken away,_ _Yes all o' my sins done taken away, Yes all my sins done taken away, Glory, glory to His name-e, All my sins done taken away, taken away._ This last chorus may be repeated whenever the singers do not think of words to fit in with the songs, although this is rarely necessary. The following stanzas are sung in the same manner as those just given. If I had er died when I wus young, I never would a had dis rist to run, _All o' my sins done taken away, taken away_.