Hallelujah (1929)

Harry Gray: Parson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Parson : Hello, Adam and Eve. What are you doin' 'round here?

  Adam : Well, we just come down to see if you had time to marry us?

  Eve : That's right.

  Parson : To marry you? Are these 11 children yours?

  Adam : That's right! And we thought it was about time for us to make it more permament.

  Eve : That's right.

  [laughs] 

  Parson : Seems like you made it mighty late to get 'round here to be married. The damage is all done!

• Zeke : Pappy, can I come into your house?

  Parson : Boy, you're just in time to help us with the pickin'.

• Johnson Kid : Good night, Mammy.

  Mammy : Good night.

  Spunk : Good night, Mammy.

  Mammy : Good night, Spunk.

  Missy Rose : Good night, Pappy.

  Parson : Good night, Missy.

  Zeke : Good night, Mammy.

  Mammy : Good night, Zeke.

  Zeke : I'll see you in the morning.

  Mammy : All righty.

  Johnson Kid : Good night, Zeke.

  Zeke : Good night, sleep tight. Good night, Pappy.

  Parson : Good night, Zeke.

  Spunk : Good night, Pappy.

  Parson : Good night, Spunk.

  Mammy : Oh, thank God.

• Parson : [Family surrounding the wagon with cotton crop destined for the market]  Let us give thanks for our success this year. Let us kneel right down here. We is most thankful for this bountiful crop, oh Lord.

  Mammy : Yes sir!

  Parson : And we trust you won't be offended if we just ask one favor more. *Please* Lord, let us get a good price for our cotton.

• Parson : Come, Son, I am not here to judge you.

  Zeke : Oh, Pappy, I've sinned. I've sinned! And I'm hangin' on the edge of hell!

  Parson : Yes, Son, but the Lord forgives.

  Zeke : My heart is achin' for my poor brother. Oh, my heart is achin'! Oh, Pappy, show me how to repent. Show me the way.

  Parson : Look, Son, the Lord has sent an angel to show you the way. Can't you see him comin' in that snow-white chariot, in his snow-white robe? Can't you hear him, Son? It is the angel of the Lord that comforts them that mourns. Look, Son! Can't you see him?

  Zeke : Yes, Pappy, I see him and I hear him. The Lord has done shown me the light. The Lord has shown the truth of his creation. I lay my brother down in the ground. But, the ground can't hold my brother. No, Pappy, the ground can't hold him. For the Lord is stronger than the ground. But the Lord is the ground. The Lord is the sky and the heavens and the moon and the sun. The Lord is the earth and all the living things on earth. The Lord in his kingdom. Ain't no pain. Ain't no more sorrow. And there ain't no more death. So, why wail and grieve?

• Parson : Mammy, where is my pipe? Why'd you hide my pipe for anyway? Why can't you let things be?

  Mammy : I been stopped it where you just left it. Oh, here it is, you old stew pot.

• Parson : [First lines]  Mammy, we're almost through with the pickin'.

  Mammy : Yes sir! And we done put in a good season of work!