<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><div><b>“An Essay on Slavery”</b></div><div><div>Composed by Jupiter Hammon, a negro man belonging to Mr John Lloyd of Queens Village on Long Island (November 10th 1786)</div></div><div><br></div><div>Our forefathers came from Africa</div><div>Tost over the raging main</div><div>To a Christian shore there for to stay</div><div>And not return again.</div><div><br></div><div>Dark and dismal was the Day</div><div>When slavery began</div><div>All humble thoughts were put away</div><div>Then slaves were made by Man.</div><div><br></div><div>When God doth please for to permit</div><div>That slavery should be</div><div>It is our duty to submit</div><div>Till Christ shall make us free</div><div><br></div><div>Come let us join with one consent</div><div>With humble hearts and say</div><div>For every sin we must repent</div><div>And walk in wisdom’s way.</div><div><br></div><div>If we are free we’ll pray to God</div><div>If we are slaves the same</div><div>It’s firmly fixt in his [holy] word</div><div>Ye shall not pray in vain.</div><div><br></div><div>Come blessed Jesus in thy Love</div><div>And hear thy children cry</div><div>And send them smiles now from above</div><div>And grant them Liberty.</div><div><br></div><div>Tis thou alone can make us free</div><div>We are thy subjects too</div><div>Pray give us grace to bend a knee</div><div>The time we stay below.</div><div><br></div><div>Tis unto thee we look for all</div><div>Thou art our only King</div><div>Thou hast the power to save the soul</div><div>And bring us flocking in.</div><div><br></div><div>We come as sinners unto thee</div><div>We know thou hast the word</div><div>Come blessed Jesus make us free</div><div>And bring us to our God.</div><div><br></div><div>Although we are in Slavery</div><div>We will pray unto our God</div><div>He hath mercy beyond the sky</div><div>Tis in his holy word.</div><div><br></div><div>Come unto me ye humble souls</div><div>Although you live in strife</div><div>I keep alive and save the soul</div><div>And give eternal life.</div><div><br></div><div>To all that do repent of sin</div><div>Be they bond or free</div><div>I am their saviour and their king</div><div>They must come unto me.</div><div><br></div><div>Hear the words now of the Lord</div><div>The call is loud and certain</div><div>We must be judged by his word</div><div>Without respect of person.</div><div><br></div><div>Come let us seek his precepts now</div><div>And love his holy word</div><div>With humble soul we’ll surely bow</div><div>And wait the great reward.</div><div><br></div><div>Although we came from Africa</div><div>We look unto our God</div><div>To help our hearts to sigh and pray</div><div>And Love his holy word.</div><div><br></div><div>Although we are in slavery</div><div>Bound by the yoke of Man</div><div>We must always have a single eye</div><div>And do the best we can.</div><div><br></div><div>Come let us join with humble voice</div><div>Now on the christian shore</div><div>If we will have our only choice</div><div>Tis slavery no more.</div><div><br></div><div>Now [?] let us not repine</div><div>And say his wheels are slow</div><div>He can fill our hearts with things divine</div><div>And give us freedom too.</div><div><br></div><div>He hath the power all in his hand</div><div>And all he doth is right</div><div>And if we are tide [sic] to the yoke of man</div><div>We’ll pray with all might.</div><div><br></div><div>This the state of thousands now</div><div>Who are on the christian shore</div><div>Forget the Lord to whom we bow</div><div>And think of him no more.</div><div><br></div><div>When shall we hear the joyfull sound</div><div>Echo the christian shore</div><div>Each humble voice with songs resound</div><div>That slavery is no more.</div><div><br></div><div>Then shall we rejoice and sing</div><div>Loud praises to our God</div><div>Come sweet Jesus heavenly king</div><div>The art the son Our Lord.</div><div><br></div><div>We are thy children blessed Lord</div><div>Tho still in slavery</div><div>We’ll seek thy precepts Love thy word</div><div>Untill the day we Die.</div><div><br></div><div>Come blessed Jesus hear us now</div><div>And teach our hearts to pray</div><div>And seek the Lord to whom we bow</div><div>Before tribunal day.</div><div><br></div><div>Now glory be unto our God</div><div>All praise be justly given</div><div>Come seek his precepts love his works</div><div>That is the way to Heaven.</div><div><br></div></div>———————————————<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares"</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div></div></body></html>