Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FOLK SONG by ANONYMOUS - AFRICAN AMERICAN

First Line: "GO DOWN, MOSES, / WAY DOWN IN EGYPT LAND"
Last Line: LET MY PEOPLE GO
Subject(s): AFRICAN AMERICANS - SONG & MUSIC;BLACK SONGS;EGYPT; NEGRO SPIRITUALS;

Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egyptland;
Tell old Pharaoh
To let my people go.
When Israel was in Egyptland,
Let my people go.
Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
Let my people go.
Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egyptland;
Tell old Pharaoh,
"Let my people go."
"Thus saith the Lord," bold Moses said,
"Let my people go:
If not I'll smite your first-born dead,
Let my people go."
"No more shall they in bondage toil,
Let my people go;
Let them come out with Egypt's spoil,
Let my people go."
The Lord told Moses what to do,
Let my people go;
To lead the children of Israel through,
Let my people go.
Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egyptland;
Tell old Pharaoh,
"Let my people go!"



Home: PoetryExplorer.net