Created
about 1865
quoted in The Spirituals and the Blues, by James Cone, 1972
Slavery
chain done broke at last, broke
at last, broke at last,
Slavery chain done broke at last,
Going to praise God till I die
Way
down in-a dat valley
Praying on my knees
Told God about my troubles,
And to help me ef-a He please
I
did tell him how I suffer,
In de dungeon and de chain,
And de days were with head bowed down,
And my broken flesh and pain.
I
did know my Jesus heard me,
'Cause de spirit spoke to me
And said, 'Rise my child, your chillun,
And you shall be free.
'I
done 'p'int one mighty captain
For to marshall all my hosts
And to bring my bleeding ones to me
And not one shall be lost.'
Slavery
chain done broke at last, broke
at last, broke at last,
Slavery chain done broke at last,
Going to praise God till I die
