And then he tells us that there was A Const.i.tution, with this clause, That all men equal were created, How often have we heard it stated.
Chorus.
My old ma.s.sa, &c.
But now we look about and see, That we poor blacks are not so free; We "re whipped and thrashed about like fools, And have no chance at common schools.
Chorus.
Still, my old ma.s.sa, &c.
They take our wives, insult and mock, And sell our children on the block, Then choke us if we say a word, And say that "n.i.g.g.e.rs" shan"t be heard.
Chorus.
Still, my old ma.s.sa, &c.
Our preachers, too, with whip and cord, Command obedience in the Lord; They say they learn it from the book, But for ourselves we dare not look.
Chorus.
Still, my old ma.s.sa tells me O, This is a _Christian_ country O, &c.
There is a country far away, Friend Hopper says "t is Canada, And if we reach Victoria"s sh.o.r.e, He says that we are slaves no more.
Chorus.
Now hasten all bondmen, let us go And leave this Christian country O; Haste to the land of the British Queen, Where whips for negroes are not seen.
Now if we go, we must take the night-- We"re sure to die if we come in sight-- The blood-hounds will be on our track, And wo to us if they fetch us back.
Chorus.
Now haste all bondmen, let us go, And leave this _Christian_ country O; G.o.d help us to Victoria"s sh.o.r.e, Where we are free and slaves no more.
FREEDOM"S BANNER.
AIR--Freedom"s Banner.
My country, shall thy honored name, Be as a by-word through the world?
Rouse! for as if to blast thy fame, This keen reproach is at thee hurled; The banner that above thee waves, Is floating over three millions slaves.
That flag, my country, I had thought, From n.o.ble sires was given to thee, By the best blood of patriots bought, To wave alone above the Free!
Yet now, while to the breeze it waves, It floats above three millions slaves,
The mighty dead that flag unrolled, They bathed it in the heaven"s own blue; They sprinkled stars upon each fold, And gave it as a trust to you; And now that glorious banner waves In shame above three millions slaves.
O, by the virtues of our sires, And by the soil on which they trod, And by the trust their name inspires, And by the hope we have in G.o.d, Arouse, my country, and agree To set thy captive children free.
Arouse! and let each hill and glen With prayer to the high heavens ring out, Till all our land with freeborn men, May join in one triumphant shout, That freedom"s banner does not wave Its folds above a single slave.
YOUR BROTHER IS A SLAVE.
O weep, ye friends of Freedom, weep!
Shout liberty no more; Your harps to mournful measures sweep, Till slavery"s reign is o"er.
O, furl your star-lit thing of light-- That banner should not wave Where, vainly pleading for his right, Your Brother toils--_a Slave!_
O pray, ye friends of Freedom, pray For those who toil in chains, Who lift their fettered hands to day On Carolina"s plain!
G.o.d is the hope of the Oppressed; His arm is strong to save; Pray, then, that freedom"s cause be blest, Your Brother is _a Slave!_
O toil, ye friends of Freedom, toil!
Your mission to fulfil,-- That Freedom"s consecrated soil Slaves may no longer till; Ay, toil and pray from deep disgrace Your native land to save; Weep o"er the miseries of your race, _Your Brother is a Slave!_
COME JOIN THE ABOLITIONISTS.
AIR--When I can read my t.i.tle clear.
Come join the Abolitionists, Ye young men bold and strong.
And with a warm and cheerful zeal, Come help the cause along; O that will be joyful, joyful, joyful, O that will be joyful, when Slavery is no more, When Slavery is no more.
"Tis then we"ll sing, and offerings bring, When Slavery is no more.
Come join the Abolitionists, Ye men of riper years, And save your wives and children dear, From grief and bitter tears; O that will be joyful, joyful, joyful, O that will be joyful, when Slavery is no more, When Slavery is no more, "Tis then we"ll sing, and offerings bring, When Slavery is no more.
Come join the Abolitionists, Ye dames and maidens fair, And breathe around us in our path Affection"s hallowed air; O that will be joyful, joyful, joyful, O that will be joyful, when woman cheers us on, When woman cheers us on, to conquests not yet won.
"Tis then we"ll sing, and offerings bring, When woman cheers us on.
Come join the Abolitionists, Ye sons and daughters all Of this our own America-- Come at the friendly call; O that will be joyful, joyful, joyful, O that will be joyful, when all shall proudly say, This, this is Freedom"s day--Oppression flee away!
"T is then we"ll sing, and offerings bring, When freedom wins the day.
THERE"S A GOOD TIME COMING.
There"s a good time coming boys, A good time coming; There"s a good time coming boys, Wait a little longer.
We may not live to see the day, But earth shall glisten in the ray Of the good time coming; Cannon b.a.l.l.s may aid the truth, But thought"s a weapon stronger; We"ll win our battle by its aid, Wait a little longer.
O, there"s a good time, &c.
There"s a good time coming boys, A good time coming; The pen shall supersede the sword, And right, not might shall be the lord, In the good time coming.
Worth, not birth shall rule mankind, And be acknowledged stronger, The proper impulse has been given, Wait a little longer.
O, there"s a good time, &c.
There"s a good time coming boys, A good time coming; Hateful rivalries of creed, Shall not make their martyrs bleed, In the good time coming.
Religion shall be shorn of pride, And flourish all the stronger; And Charity shall trim her lamp, Wait a little longer.
O, there"s a good time, &c.