-- SOLILOQUY

  Living conditions for most enslaved people were terrible. They usually lived in one room, dirt floor shacks, usually without windows.  They ate poorly and  wore shabby clothing and often wore no shoes. ( One spiritual,GOING  TO SHOUT ALL OVER GOD'S HEAVEN, has the following verse:

I’ve got shoes, you’ve got  shoes All of God’s children got shoes
When I get to Heaven goin’ to put on my shoes
Goin’ to walk all over God’s Heaven

Disease was common. People worked long days, from "day clean to day gone."--and when there was a full moon, sometimes into the night. A prominent thought on the enslaved person's mind was freedom.  In this song, Harriet  expresses her feelings of anger and misery over of her situation and emphasizes her continual determination to be a free person, as she knows she should be.  

Lyrics

I wake each mornin'.... feelin'blue..

Moanin'; and groanin' 'bout what I gotta do.
Go up to the big house, work mornin' til night..

Doin' what they say to do with never a fight.

Workin' and workin' the way I be told..
And always a-fearin', I gonna be sold.

The Missus think that I'm property.

But I got feelin's that she ain't never see.
 I be a  slave...  just to push around.
To her just a bug to crawl on the ground.

That's my life, don't belong to me.

But only for now...I soon will be free.

That day will come, cause I'm really mad.

Livin' this way is awefully sad.
It's no life for me, not at all.

I'll stand up for myself...really tall.

Cause I.... Know I'm a woman, a woman who.

Can be my own person, with so much more to do.

I'll help myself and my people too..

Have a better life,  a life brand new.

That's why I decided, I gonna see.

Me, and my brothers and sisters be free...

Click the music for the entire   song

Transcription by Dylan Roberts

Where My Soul will Be Free
Improvisation by Bernie Katzman, of a song by Susan Maskin
Lyrics by Susan Maskin

Frederick Douglass, an enslaved African who escaped to freedom and later became an abolitionist, implied in his autobiography,  Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,  that some of the spirituals sung by the enslaved people contained coded messages which helped the enslaved to escape.  He stated that songs had "multiple uses." There is  probably no clear written documentation that supports the claim that  some of these songs were instructions, though  legends do indicate that songs such as "Follow the Drinking Gourd," "The Gospel Train," "Steal Away," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,"  "Wade in the Water," and some others were actually partial guides  for those escaping bondage.  "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot might  have referred to the Ohio River and the safe haven of Ripley Ohio. (for more information check out this wonderful website: http://www.negrospirituals.com/    ) There is controversy over whether in fact these songs actually did have  codes or instructions for those trying to escape. However, since a variety of  ways for sending messages and communicating were used, it is quite possible, perhaps probable, that these spiritual songs might have had this function or at least, been used as inspiration to escape. In addition, since many legends are at least loosely  based on something factual, I believe songs were possibly used. Whatever is true regarding coded messages,  the "spirituals" were  religious songs and a source of hope and support for the enslaved people.

It is important to note that some well-known spirituals were written by identifiable composers after the Civil War.
See: http://www.negrospirituals.com/composers.htm

The song below ,"Where My Soul Will Be Free" is not a pre-Civil War spiritual, but is composed with those songs in mind. 

note: follow the minutes and seconds at the left side of the song bar to know the place in the song which match the lyrics.



Instrumental

Lyrics

Introduction

(starts at 15 seconds into the music)
I looked toward the sky,
I stood  to pray.
Pray for some angels,
To take me far away.

To the promise land, where my soul would be free.
Maybe today, they're comin' for me.

(starts at  44 seconds)
I'll look for  angels..
Search day and night..
They're comin' for me..
To help me see the light.
The Promise land,  is waitin' on me.
I'll get there someday,  it's gonna be.

(starts at 1 minute 13 seconds)
And so I know, I got  to go.
I must  get ready, Can't never be slow.
The Lord is watchin', He's waitin' for me.
In the promise land,  my soul  can be free.

( starts at 1 minute 43 seconds)
I'll look for  angels..
 I'll search day and night..
They're comin' for me..
To help me see the light.
In the promise land,  it's  waitin' on me.
I'll get there someday,  it's gonna be.


 (starts at 2minutes, 19 seconds)
Instrumental--dance sequence to

(stats at 3 minutes 26 seconds)
And so I know, gotta   go.
I must be ready, Can't never be slow.
The Lord is watchin', He's waitin' for me.
In the promise land,  In the promise land, In the promise land,
In the promise land...

That is where my soul .......................be free.

Click on the music below to enlarge 
Notation done by Dylan Roberts

THE DEAL

Harriet Beecher Stowe started Uncle Tom's Cabin with a deal made between a plantation owner and a slave trader.It is a most tragic event, as every aspect of slavery was.  In this song, Mr.  Edward Brodess (the owner of the plantation in Maryland where Harriet Tubman was born)  meets with a fictitious slave trader named Mr. Len.  Although this song narrative is partially fictitious, it represents the actual events that happened all to often.  Some of the plantation owners went into debt and needed to raise money. They did so by either hiring out their enslaved people (as Harriet/Minty was hired out) or by selling them. The music represents the tragedy of the events. It is cruelly ironic that the two men were "animated," while eating a  sumptuous meal. They were quite satisfied with their "business deal".

The Song

Instrumental





 Lyrics

Today, in the big house,
There were two men.
One Mr. Brodess, the other Mr. Len.
They sat at a table,they ate a sumptuous meal.
Both men were animated, talking with zeal.

Mr. Len was a broker, came a long way.
to purchase some slaves,
For which he would pay,
As little as possible, 'cause 
What he did feel..
As a slave trader, his object,
Get a good deal.

So Brodess told Len, 
That he has this slave, Jim.
Real  strong and quite able,
not many like him.
Then Len said to Brodess, he must add to the lot..
Throw a child into the deal..
He could take it or not.

In no time they agreed,
A fair price for the pair.
No matter who suffered,
Wretched despair.
They're slaves, after all, who cares how they feel,
So long as some money, changed hands in the deal.

And that's what went on, in the gloom of that room.
An agreement was made, that sealed another's doom.

CLICK ON THE MUSIC BELOW FOR THE ENTIRE TRANSCRIPTION

Improvisation, by Bernie Katzman

-- JUMP THE BROOM

Although enslaved house servants were, on some occasions, allowed to marry in some sort of religious ceremony, ( and even then, according to Ken Burns CIVIL WAR documentary, the preacher might have changed the vows to "until death or distance do us part") it was not common  and improbable for field workers to have the same privilege. Many southern states prohibited legal marriage  of enslaved people, claiming that they were property without legal status. This was reinforced on the national level with the Dred Scott decision of 1857 in which  Chief Justice Taney ruled that   enslaved people of African descent are not citizens of the United States and are therefore not allowed to enter into a court  process, or  have any rights allowed United States citizens.  

A custom common among some peoples especially in western Africa was  to have a wedding ceremony in which the bride and groom would  jump over a broom . This custom was retained in the culture of the enslaved people of America.   In this song, two plantations workers, Jim and Sarah are marrying in this way.  They are fictitious characters though many enslaved people like them "jumped the broom."

The song is sung by Sarah with Jim joining in at the end.  In the middle of the song is an improvised  dance instrumental. In the  fictitious portion of the story, Sarah and Jim pledge to be together for always.. Tragically, shortly after Sarah gives birth to their first daughter, Brodess  (the plantation owner) decides to sell Jim ..illustrating the enforced breakup of families which was common before the Civil War.

The song is a  momentary happy time for these two young people showing, all the more, the horrific tragedy of  loving human beings  perceived as chattel property,  not only by their masters  but by United States and State law. In the song, tobacco picking is mentioned. Although plantations in Maryland did grow tobacco, this crop was being gradually discontinued over the years.

Song with narrated lyrics-- (written lyrics below)

or

Version 1..Shorter instrumental--listen and read lyrics below

My man is very special......Ma’ darlin’ Jim.

That’s why today I gonna jump the broom with him..

Ain’t got no doubts about it. Our love is real.

You folks can see our carin’...done never been a whim.

The minutes passin'; Too slow for me.

I'm so impatient....for me and Jim to be…....

Together..

I thinks there’s somethin’.....There’s somethin’ more..

-no life- tobacco pickin’....There’s love we’re livin’ for

INSTRUMENTAL DANCE

Jim’s part

singing  resumes at 1 minute 47 seconds into the song.

Today  ain't  got no troubles, Ain’t got no care.

We feel much better, cause

We’re a lovin’ pair---

Jim and Sarah, and chorus

The sun above is shinin’...The flowers’ in bloom.

....We’re now together on this...Joyous afternoon

(short instrumental)

 WE JUMPED THE BROOM

Longer version

Click on the music below for the notation of the whole song.

. 

Version 2- with longer dance sequence

  A few words are sung by Bernie Katzman to indicate where the singing begins again after the improvisation/dance section. The singing resumes differently from version 1.

BACK TO HOME

-- FREEDOM TRAIN

 

Harriet Tubman's escape attempt in 1849 was successful. She arrived in Philadelphia, where she met and worked with William Still, an African American abolitionist who was associated with the Philadelphia branch of the Anti-Slavery Society..  William Still was the free son of a woman named Charity who had   escaped from Slavery before 1820.  His father, Levin, had bought his freedom.  The Anti-Slavery Society office   was the destination of numerous escaped  people. William Still helped them adjust to their new life. He also kept accurate records of those who sought his help...possibly as many as 600-- published under the title The Underground Railroad.

 

 The Underground Railroad was neither a railroad nor  was it underground. The term is thought to have been coined when an enslaved man ran into a wood and disappeared. The hunters felt that he disappeared on to some sort of  underground road that ran under the Ohio river. There are other theories regarding the origin of the term.

Harriet's goal was to bring others north.  Since only a small percentage of escape attempts were successful, Harriet's mission was extremely dangerous.  She was skilled and determined, and made many trips back down south. It is thought that she made about 19 trips on the Underground Railroad. Assisted by abolitionists like  Delaware Quaker Thomas Garrett, she brought many people north.

She brought members of her family to freedom and many others on subsequent trips.

  Harriet vowed that her freedom train would never go off the track.   In fact, her train always stayed on course and she never lost a passenger. In her time, there was a bounty on her for $40,000-- a huge sum in those days.

In this song, Harriet sings of her determination to go back south for the first attempted return.

Song




Instrumental

Lyrics

When Evil exists, there's somethin' I know..

Keep a fightin' spirit-- it's

What you gotta show... 

I know the risks are heavy, but I'm goin' back.

I won't let my freedom train, run off the track.

When somethin's so important, 

You find a way.

Help folks to escape the chains

Work at it every day

I know the risks are heavy, but I'm headin' back.

I won't let my freedom train run off the track.

I made it on my own, to

Phily P-A

I'll lead more people out,

And help them steal away.

They'll live for theirselves, not for others,cause..

Lifes' worth livin' for my sisters and my brothers so...

I'm leavin' today, I'll see it through.

Protect each passenger, it's what I gonna do... I know the

Risks are heavy , but I'm goin' back.
My freedom train north..

Won't run off the track.

With the Lord to guide me, I'm goin' back.

My freedom train won't never..

Run off the track. 

CLICK ON THE MUSIC BELOW TO SEE THE FULL SCORE

IMPROVISATION #1, by Bernie Katzman (classical)




IMPROVISATION #2- BY BERNIE KATZMAN ( JAZZ/BLUES)

 --FOLLOW THE NORTH STAR

   In 1849, at  about the age of 27, Minty/Harriet decided to escape for a third time . (Two previous attempts with two brothers  were unsuccessful. ) She soon after set off on her own. She talked about two rights : "There was one of two things I have a right to--- liberty or death; if I can not have one, I would have the other." In this song, her father  sings an inspirational song as he says good-bye to her.  In fact, her father did give her guidance prior to her 1849 escape. There were some abolitionists who set up "safe houses" where those "stealing away" could spend the day and journey by night. It is said that they  would follow the north star and the  "drinking gourd"--the Big Dipper --which pointed to the North Star.  
  It is thought that some songs and secret signals might have been used on the Underground Railroad (UGRR), though proof of this is sketchy. Songs about the North Star and the drinking gourd became part of the enslave people's culture--whether fact or fiction.  Lanterns or candles in a window signified a  safe house.  The extent to which enslaved escapees used safe houses is undocumented.  Conductors probably invented passwords.  It is said that some symbols were painted on trees along a UGRR route.  There might have been quilts  designed with secret instructions,even maps of routes..(though this is debated... it is part of the legend in at least one South Carolina family, and the subject of a book called, Hidden In Plain View) . Oftentimes, "enslaved runaways" just left on their own with no help at all.  Some historians believe that the role of abolitionists helping enslaved people escape has been overstated.

Instrumental 

 Lyrics

Follow the North Star, to where it will lead.
Steal away quickly, We wish you God speed.
And look in your heart Cause it can’t steer you wrong.
Your spirit supports building courage that’s strong.

Some good folks will help you to go on your way,
Getting closer to freedom, as each night follows day.
Look deep in your heart, Your faith is there…
Keep moving dear Minty, with dreams and a prayer.

Always have hope, don’t be afraid,
Move forward on your journey,
A plan along ago made.
The Lord will go with you, you won’t be alone.
A new life is waiting, the best that you’ve known.

So then
    follow the North Star, that shines in the sky.
Guiding you onward as we bid you good-bye.
And look in your heart, it won’t steer you wrong.
Your spirit will help you build courage that’s strong.

Your life will be better, much better by far…
If you look in your heart, And follow the star. 

Click on the notation below for the full notated score, transcribed from audio

by Dylan Roberts. 

Improvisation by Bernie Katzman

-- HOP ON BOARD

  Harriet Tubman  had by now  been living in the north as a self-declared free woman, though she was a  so-called"fugitive" from the  the south. She decided that she would help her family and others to freedom, going back down south many times to serve as a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad.

It was highly dangerous for an enslaved person to try to escape, and many times  their efforts were unsuccessful. Severe punishments awaited  those attempting to runaway. But as many of these
people thought, they would rather take the risk if freedom were possible. Most thought that a life lived in bondage was not worth living. 

During the 17th and early 18th centuries, there were some escape routes going south to Florida where fugitive enslaved people were assisted by Seminole Native Americans. In the 19th century, particularly after 1850, there were many routes going north.  The most difficult escape routes were from the Deep South. The eastern route out of Maryland and Delaware were shorter, and more successful attempts were made from there. Harriet Tubman's escape was on this Eastern route.


Many further west escaped through Kentucky over the Ohio River.  The enslaved people looked at the Ohio River as their River Jordan. An Ohio town, Ripley, was well-known for welcoming enslaved people who had escaped. Until 1850, these African Americans lived in relative safety. The Fugitive Slave law of 1850 made escape, and assisting escape, a Federal felony. This meant that those former enslaved Americans living in the North were no longer safe.  Many had to move north to Canada.

Those escaping slavery had no maps, no directions.  There were songs sung by enslaved African Americans with possible secret meanings serving as directions. Ingenious methods of escape were thought up.An enslaved man named Henry Brown, with the assistance of some abolitionists, made some holes in a crate and had himself sealed inside, then shipped to Philadelphia. He became known as Henry Box Brown.Assisted by abolitionist Sam Smith (who later spent years in prison for his activities), Henry Box Brown's success was repeated by others.  It is interesting that he was one of the few escapees to actually ride on a real train.So too were William and Ellen Craft-- a man and woman who went by train to the North from Georgia. Ellen was light-skinned and could "pass for white."  She dressed up in a man's clothing pretending to be the master, accompanied by "his" servant, William.. She wore a bandage on her face, pretending that she had a tooth infection.  She had her wrist bandaged to hide the fact that she could not write. 


It is theorized that symbols, and  coded messages were sometimes used..  Some escapees were led by"conductors" such as Harriet Tubman. Many enslaved Americans who ran away traveled alone, though it was not uncommon for small groups to go together.

Still, escaping was dangerous and most often, doomed to failure. There were bounty hunters who would search for the enslaved escapees. The problem intensified when, in 1850, the Fugitive Slave Law made it unsafe for all African Americans to live in the north. The routes had to be extended to Canada. Harriet led some people to Ontario.


In this song Harriet is urging some enslaved people to follow her to freedom.  Harriet Tubman was known as "Moses," and is referred to that name in the song. The term "drinking gourd" is referred to in the song as well. The "drinking gourd" is the constellation Big Dipper which points to the North Star. It is probable that  enslaved people followed the north star and the Drinking Gourd.

LYRICS

Come... hop on board, the underground railroad,
Brothers and sisters follow me,
This glory train is leaving soon.
It's a difficult journey which will set you free. 

It's gonna leave soon, the Underground Railroad.
Follow your Moses on the freedom train.

I'm the conductor for the passengers..echo..
With little to lose and much to gain.

We'll pray for protection from our merciful lord,
As we steal away following the drinking gourd.
I'm the conductor for the runaways,
The underground railroad--hop on board.

So run on quickly to the underground railroad,
Brothers and sisters follow me,
An invisible train, is departing shortly,
Hop on board....echo... hop on board....echo...
hop on board....echo... hop on board,....echo... 

Hop on board the train that will set you free.

Please click on the score page below to see the whole song.
(coming soon)




Improvisation, by Bernie Katzman 

--AIN'T YA NOT HEAR'D OF HENRY BOX BROWN?

In the fictitious portion of this musical, Sarah's husband Jim was about to be "sold down the river." They pledged to be together forever, but this was an impossible pledge to make for enslaved people. Jim attempts to escape. Harriet has secretly returned south and is hiding out, planning to take others with her. She sings this lament to heartbroken Sarah, and others trying to persuade them to flee to the north with her.Though part of the   situation is fictional, (Sarah and Jim were made up,) the separation of families was common.  The song is a lament  emphasizing the sadness of their plight. However, Harriet is trying to encourage those she is speaking with by telling them an example of an ingenious way someone did escape.  She urges them to go with her, and refers to herself  as "Moses," ....a name that many enslaved people gave to her.

 Lyrics

Ya got-ta lis-ten to what I say.

Steal-ing off is the only way.

It's a hard journey and

dangerous too..

It takes a long time, but you can get through...and

Some folks made it so don't ya feel down.. Hey(spoken)

Ain't ya not hear-d of Henry Box Brown.

There's always a chance to get away.

Up to the north,

Ya'll get there one day...Make it

Sooner than later, 

Come with me now.

I'm your conductor.. I'll

Show you how..And

Some folks made it so

Don't ya feel down.

Ain't ya not hear'd of

Henry Box Brown.

Ol' Henry he had an idea one day.

In a box, he'd hide a way.

Sat in the box,

Thats where he done stay..

Shipped his-self off to

Phily-P-A

Now I's not tellin' you sit in a box,

but still ya can leave,

Sneak away like a fox.

It's a hard journey,Dangerous too.

Takes a long time, but

You can get through.

I know you be scared, but ya

Can't feel down.

Now that ya hear'd of Henry Box Brown....

Have faith in your Moses... I

Won't let ya down. IF

You have the courage of Henry Box Brown.

Click the transcription below for the entire song

Improvisation by Bernie Katzman

--  I,THOMAS GARRETT

Thomas Garrett, a Quaker living in Wilmington Delaware was an ardent abolitionist. He helped numerous enslaved people escape, making his home a station on the Underground Railroad.  His efforts as a "station master" was well-known. At one point, he was convicted of violating the law, with a  penalty of a fine in the amount of $4,500... a huge sum in those days. Despite all efforts to stop him, he persevered.  He assisted Harriet Tubman, a successful conductor on the Underground Railroad.

The Song



Instrumental

Lyrics

I Thomas Garrett, my life-long mission.
To free the country from our  national curse.
'Cause slavery ensnares us, all Americans...

Binds us to evil, there's nothing much worse.

I'll risk my money, I don't give a damn. 

I'll do what I must, even if I go to jail.

And if these things happen, it'll toughen my will.

To help those in need... I'll not fail.

So many enslaved folks have
come through my door.

I'll do what I can, always try to do more.

Assisting them on their way, going forth.

Running secretly, destination north.

And I Thomas Garret, will carry on,

These people's long journey, It's mine as well.

They're my sisters and brothers,
I'll see them free,

By providing safe passage, from their hell.

Cause this country started with a liberty cry...

I'll keep pressing for freedom, till the day I die.


Click on the music below to see the entire transcription

Improvisation  

--THE ONLY OPTION :  A Song sung by  Abolitionists

  In 1850, the United States Congress passed what was known as the "Fugitive Slave Act." This new law
was a great setback for the abolitionist movement to end slavery and to help enslaved people to escape from the slave states.  Basically, it made escaping from slavery and assisting that escape illegal under federal law.  The fines were stiff. It meant that the northern states were no longer a safe haven for those who had escaped bondage. The North was no longer safe for Free African Americans, some of whom were kidnapped and sold into slavery.  

 It is hard to know the extent  to which the Abolitionists made an impact. The movement was growing in strength in the years just before the Civil War.

 Abolitionists were strong people who were not daunted by this horrific law. In this song, an Abolitionist is singing to his fellow freedom workers, saying that giving up their efforts was not an option.

Their cause was too important.

The Song



INSTRUMENTAL

Lyrics:

Now, if you think that we've been beat,
Then get off your seat,
Don't talk defeat because...

Failure's not an option..

It's not an option for us...on no, and

If you want to lag behind, it means
You don't mind if
Someday you will find..

All ideals are tossed and lost..

It's not an option for us.

There are folks who are slavin' against their will.

They're worked so hard, until they're ill.. and

Almost feeling they're barely alive..

To improve their lives for  that we must strive.

Oppose those laws that sanction, what is wrong,

We'll fight with might,

Tenacious spirit strong.

In the end we  can succeed..

That's the only option for us.  So

Let's go forward, united we'll stand,

Promoting freedom, in our land.

Then finally we will succeed..

It's the only option,

the only  option,

The only option for us.

Click here, or on the musical score to see the entire three pages
of the  transcription .

IMPROVISATION #1:  by Bernie Katzman- An Abolitionist
Dance segment






































IMPROVISATION #2-classical style, by Bernie Katzman

The CHASE ( a dance sequence)-music by Bernie Katzman, based on a song by Susan Maskin

Escaping from slavery was extremely difficult and dangerous.   More escape attempts failed than succeeded. Savage bounty hunters with dogs followed those "stealing away."  One of the most notorious bounty hunters was a woman by the name of Patty Cannon.  She, and a team of ruffians, were greatly feared. (Patty Cannon was ultimately hanged for murder.) "Fugitives" who were brought back were severely punished. Yet the possibility of freedom was a great motivation for those who made the attempt.

In this instrumental, created by Bernie Katzman (based on a melody from Susan Maskin, called "In Winter," ) an enslaved person is  "stealing away"  followed by "bounty hunters." 


Instrumental  by Bernie Katzman

Click on the notation to see the entire score

--FOREVER TO BE FREE

  Throughout her life, and  especially in her later years, Harriet must have thought a good deal about her life.  This song,  reflects what she might have thought. 

Lyrics:

Memories, many memories, all those memories, of my life,

I think,   of the struggles,  stress and strife.

Memories, many memories, all those memories, they're so clear.....

Years full of hope and passion,  always, all the fear.

Pledging my whole self to others.

Help cut away binding chains.

Then steal away from their bondage,  be...

Free from pains.

I lived ,  through such turmoil,  all the dangers, facing me....

Never,  losin'   hopin',  for my people,   forever to be free.

CLICK THE MUSIC BELOW,SCROLL DOWN ON THE NEW PAGE,
FOR THE ENTIRE SONG SHEET

-- ESCAPE BY DESIGN

Whether or not quilts were used to encode hidden clues guiding enslaved people on the Underground Railroad is controversial.Most of what is known  about this topic comes through  limited oral tradition.

There is no known written history based on factual information about the use of quilts, nor are there identifiable, surviving pre-Civil War quilts which indicate a direct relationship with the UGRR. However, it is probable that the enslaved people and the abolitionists used a great many means of coding. Since  there is an oral tradition regarding the use of quilts, it is possible that quilts were used even to a small degree at some point and  in some places to pass along  information.

Tapestries with symbolism were and still are made in certain parts of Africa.  In  Benin, for example, tapestries with symbolic figures  are part of the Abomey cultural  traditional . 
please see: 

https://www.google.com/search?q=Abomey+quilts&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=np&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=cKwVUMbZK6-t0AHlsIDgCA&biw=1024&bih=502&sei=e6wVUNfFNeTw0gGF74GgCA

In the book Hidden in Plain View, Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard  discuss the oral tradition of  one family, as related to her by Ozella McDaniel Williams  of South Carolina.

Click here to see some patterns thought to be secret codes.

A beautiful picture book, Show Way, by Jacqueline Woodson refers to the quilt tradition. The story is about her ancestors who were enslaved in South Carolina, making quilts with secret codes and symbols.

Whether or not quilts were actually used, the point of this song is to illustrate the ingenious ways that probably were used to pass along information about escaping to freedom... something that was on the minds of enslaved people all the time. In any case, quilts are part of the UGRR legend.

 THE SONG





THE INSTRUMENTAL



LYRICS

I'll take me a needle and I'll take some thread,
Some fabrics bright blue, and brown and red.
I'll sew a quilt with a beautiful design.
Wash it then hang it out on the line.

I'll make that quilt with lots of hidden clues.
For my sisters and my brothers to use.
Helpin' as a guide, hangin' out on the line.
A tool for escapin' created by design.

A big brown wheel means a wagon is waitin',
Bear Claw pattern shows the path to be taken,
The drinkin' gourd's are stars, a symbol you must know.
Stitches make a map,show the best way to go.

The blue quilt tells you that it's time to move,
To a better place where your life will improve.
So look at the code in the quilt on the line...
And plan your escape,  an escape by design.

The codes are secret, but still you can see.
The very best way, to run away free.

The very best way, to run away free.

Transcription by Dylan Roberts

Click here or on the picture for the full transcription

Improvisation by Bernie Katzman