This is a traditional African American song, suitable for Good Friday services if you can handle it.
Johnny Cash and the Carter family do an extraordinary version here. Even better are Sam Cooke and the Souls Stirrers (listen from 1:45) here. Less wonderful, but a better guide for use in a church here. The last word goes to Paul Robeson as is fitting here.
My backing is at 90bpm and just goes.
Verse 1
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?Verse 2
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?Verse 3
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?