"Ole Massa on He Trabbels Gone" 
(Deposited 15 Feb 1862)
[Recorded Vol. 34, Page 66; No. 59]
[M 1640.W; 
stamped "Copyright Library July 17, 1862"]
Quartette
Words by
John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807-1892
from the
Atlantic Monthly,
by permission.
Music by
S. K. Whiting
Band 4th Me. Regt.

Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co., 277 Washington St.
Plate No. 21439 
[Source: 1862-200002262@LoC/CWM]

1. Ole massa, on he trabbels,  gone; 
He leab the land behind; 
De Lord’s breff blow him furder on, 
Like cornshucks in de wind. 
We own de hoe, we own  de plough; 
We own de hands dat hold, 
We sell de pig, we sell de cow; 
But nebber chile be sold.

CHORUS [sung twice after each verse]
De yam will grow, de cotton blow, 
We’ll had de rice an corn, 
So nebber you fear, if nebber you hear, 
De driver, blow his horn.

2. We pray de Lord; he gib us  signs, 
Dat some day we be free. 
De Norf wind tell it to the pines; 
De wild duck to de sea. 
We tink it, when de churchbell ring; 
We dream it in de dream, 
De ricebird, mean it when he sing, 
De eagle when he scream.

3. We know de promise nebber fail, 
An nebber lie, de word. 
So like de ’postles in de jail, 
We waited for de Lord. 
And now, he open eb’ry door, 
And trow away de key, 
He tink we lub him, so before; 
We lub him better free.