­ Traditional
[Chorus:] I'm working on a building, I'm working on a building,
I'm working on a building for my Lord, for my Lord!
It's a Holy Ghost building, it's the Holy Ghost building,
It's a Holy Ghost building, for my Lord, for my Lord!
[Chorus:] If I was a preaching man, I tell you what I'd do:
I'd preach the truth throughout the land
And work on a building, too.
If I was a carpenter I tell you what I'd do:
I'd work all day and work all night
Just to work on the building, too.
[Chorus:] If I was a ramblin' man, I tell you what I'd do:
I'd stop my rambling, stop my gambling,
And work on a building, too.
If I was gambling man, I tell you what I'd do:
I'd throw away the Queen of Spades
And work on a building, too.
[Chorus:] If I was a sinner man, I tell you what I'd do:
I'd stop my sinning, start my praying,
And work on a building, too.
[Chorus:] [Chorus:]