Slavery Songs

Slavery Songs

During the 19th Century, many people who were slaves made songs to describe their lives. Some even carried secret messages, or directions for people who wished to flee, like the song the Drinking Gourd:

 

Lyrics:

"When the Sun comes back
And the first quail calls
Follow the Drinking Gourd,
For the old man is a-waiting for to carry you to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd
The riverbank makes a very good road.
The dead trees will show you the way.
Left foot, peg foot, travelling on,
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
The river ends between two hills
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
There’s another river on the other side
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
When the great big river meets the little river
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
For the old man is a-waiting for to carry to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd." -http://www.osblackhistory.com/drinkinggourd.php

Frederick Douglass Video



Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was born as a slave in Talbot County in 1818. In his life he tried to escape slavery 3 times, the third time, with the help of a free black woman named Anna Murray. He fled into Havre de Grace, Maryland in 1838. There he carried out the career of being a writer, and becoming a leader of the abolitionist movement. His most recognized work was his published book " Narrative of the Lifef Frederick Douglass, an American Slave." Frederick became a strong believer of equality and died on February 20th 1895.

Josiah Henson Video



Harriet Tubman Video

Harriet Tubman

In 1820, Araminta Harriet Ross was born into slavery in Dorchester County. Throughout her childhood she was constantly beaten by her owners. This made her even more determined to escape from Maryland as an adult. Unfortunately she first tried to flee with her brothers, and was captured. The second time she fled her home successfully, but vowed to return and help the rest of her family come into Philadelphia. As promised Harriet Tubman returned to her home numerous times and brought over 300 black slaves to freedom using the Underground Railroad. Toughened by her childhood, Harriet carried a shotgun, and threatened to shoot slow moving people. Harriet Tubman, the moses of her people, never lost a "passenger".

Josiah Henson

Josiah Henson was born in Charles County, on July 15th, 1789. Born into slavery, Josiah worked for the same man his mother did, until he saved enough money to buy his freedom. Once he presented the $450 he had saved over the years, he found that the cost had been raised. Enraged Josiah fled his home, and into Kent County in 1830. There he settled and founded a laborers school for fugative slaves. Later he, his wife and his four children moved into upper Canada where the law in Ontario was passed making slavery more difficult to have. Josiah Henson died of natural causes in 1883 at the age of 93.

What is the Underground Railroad?

The "Underground Railroad" was a secret route used by black slaves in the 19th century who fled from their homes. Black Slavery was a large issue that caused problems internationally. The Underground Railroad was a secret pathway that was used to lead over 30,000 slaves to freedom. Despite the fact that this pathway is called "The Underground Railroad" it isn't actually underground at all. It got it's name when a local man searching for fleeing black slaves concluded that the people must have gone underground, because he could not find them. It was called an Underground Railroad also because of the homes on the way that provided food and clothing called "trainstops", and the homes expected "passengers". All of this made for a stealthy escape for many black refugees.