--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