The Underground Railroad
from Songs of Slavery and Emancipation by Mat Callahan / Various Artists
-
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital AlbumThe Songs Of Slavery and Emancipation project presents recently discovered songs composed by enslaved people and explicitly calling for resistance to slavery. Some originate as early as 1800 and others as late as the outbreak of the Civil War. The project also includes long-lost songs of the abolitionist movement, some of which were written by fugitive slaves as well as free black people, challenging common misconceptions of abolitionism.
Thirty one songs are presented in a beautiful hard cover bound double CD and digital download containing new performances in a traditional style by numerous contributing artists.
An accompanying 64 page liner notes booklet includes complete lyrics as well as reproductions of historic documents. The liner notes also include essays by the album’s producer Mat Callahan, scholar Robin D.G. Kelley and activist organizer Kali Akuno.
“These songs of slavery and emancipation, some written more than two hundred years ago, are not only important historically; they have a direct bearing on today’s movements for social and economic transformation. When you hear songs like “Nat Turner” or “Hymn of Freedom,” it’s almost as if they were written yesterday. They bring inspiration and revolutionary clarity to contemporary struggles.
Songs of Slavery and Emancipation brings a whole era of resistance forward into the twenty-first century. To forget the lessons of the revolt and rebellion of the enslaved or the organizing of the abolitionist networks and the Underground Railroad is to condemn people to the false belief that because one of us is Black and the other is white we can’t unite, we don’t have anything in common, and we can’t work together. And this goes for people of all ethnicities, places of origin, and genders.
We must not forget this history. These songs can make an important contribution. They provide a popular art form that can help people understand all Americans’ history and participate in our contemporary struggles. Songs of Slavery and Emancipation carries crucial history that enlivens our collective memory and helps keep the spirit of resistance strong and moving forward.”
- Kali Akuno
Executive Director of Cooperation Jackson
A companion full length book, published by the University Press of Mississippi, documents the sources of these newly released songs, as well as providing historical context:
www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/S/Songs-of-Slavery-and-Emancipation
Includes unlimited streaming of Songs of Slavery and Emancipation via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. ... moreships out within 3 days2 remainingPurchasable with gift card$30 USD or more
-
-
Streaming + DownloadIncludes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.Purchasable with gift card
$1 USD or more
-
Buy the Full Digital Album
-
The Songs of Slavery and Emancipation project encompasses a:
• Double CD
• Full length book published by the University Press of Mississippi
• Documentary film - The film is available to watch starting June 17th at www.arthistorypolitics.com.
Order the CD and (soft cover) book combination here and receive our special discounted price by combining both items.
The soft cover book is usually $30 and the double CD is $30. Get them both here together for $50.
The Songs of Slavery and Emancipation project presents recently discovered songs composed by enslaved people and explicitly calling for resistance to slavery. Some originate as early as 1800 and others as late as the outbreak of the Civil War. The project also includes long-lost songs of the abolitionist movement, some of which were written by fugitive slaves as well as free black people, challenging common misconceptions of abolitionism.
Thirty one songs are presented in a beautiful hard cover bound double CD containing new performances in a traditional style by numerous contributing artists.
An accompanying 64 page liner notes booklet includes complete lyrics as well as reproductions of historic documents. The liner notes also include essays by the album’s producer Mat Callahan, scholar Robin D.G. Kelley and activist organizer Kali Akuno.
The album will also be available via digital download and streaming services.
A companion full length book, published by the University Press of Mississippi, documents the sources of these newly released songs, as well as providing historic context.
Songs of Slavery and Emancipation
By Mat Callahan
Introduction by Robin D. G. Kelley
Afterword by Kali Akuno
University Press of Mississippi
www.upress.state.ms.us
MAT CALLAHAN is a musician and author originally from San Francisco. He is author of five books including The Explosion of Deferred Dreams: Musical Renaissance and Social Revolution in San Francisco, 1965–1975 and A Critical Guide to Intellectual Property. His recent projects include the republication of Songs of Freedom: The James Connolly Songbook by Irish revolutionary James Connolly; the recording and publication of Working-Class Heroes: A History of Struggle in Song: A Songbook; and the launch of the multimedia project Songs of Slavery and Emancipation, which includes this book, a CD of song recordings, and a film. ... moreships out within 5 daysPurchasable with gift card$50 USD or more
-
-
AV Club
Join now to receive all the new music Jalopy Records releases, including 44 back-catalog items, delivered instantly to you via the Bandcamp app for iOS and Android. You’ll also get access to supporter-only exclusives. Learn more.Join Now $10 USD/month or more
lyrics
The Underground Railroad
To the tune of: Nancy Till
source: The Emancipation Car (1854) pp.147-148
author: Joshua McCarter Simpson
composer: "Nancy Till" - traditional
Don’t you hear the steam cars,
Don’t you hear them hum?
Get your hat and shoes on—
Be ready when they come.
Master’s fast asleep now—
I hope he’ll not awake;
For here’s an invitation now
To go across the Lake.
Chorus
Come boys, come, and go along with me,
And I’ll take you up where colored men are free
Come, boys, come—make no delay,
And I’ll take you up to Canada.
I hear old master say,
Just a day or two ago,
That he was going to sell us all,
Down to “‘Tucky ho;”
But here’s the Underground Horse,
A very noble nag;
“A free ride to colored men,”
Is written on his flag.
The Underground Railroad,
Is a queer machine;
It carries many passengers,
And never has been seen,
Old master goes to Baltimore,
And mistress goes away,
And when they see their slaves again
They’re all in Canada.
Uncle Sam has tried hard
To find the mystic route;
But well do our engineers
Know what they are about.
While he is sleeping soundly,
They are wide awake,
And firing up the engine,
That runs across the Lake.
The Underground Railroad
Is doing mighty well;
The number of her passengers
Is very hard to tell.
When once they ship for Canada,
It’s had to bring them back,
For “Johnny” runs a strong race,
And never flies the track.
To the tune of: Nancy Till
source: The Emancipation Car (1854) pp.147-148
author: Joshua McCarter Simpson
composer: "Nancy Till" - traditional
Don’t you hear the steam cars,
Don’t you hear them hum?
Get your hat and shoes on—
Be ready when they come.
Master’s fast asleep now—
I hope he’ll not awake;
For here’s an invitation now
To go across the Lake.
Chorus
Come boys, come, and go along with me,
And I’ll take you up where colored men are free
Come, boys, come—make no delay,
And I’ll take you up to Canada.
I hear old master say,
Just a day or two ago,
That he was going to sell us all,
Down to “‘Tucky ho;”
But here’s the Underground Horse,
A very noble nag;
“A free ride to colored men,”
Is written on his flag.
The Underground Railroad,
Is a queer machine;
It carries many passengers,
And never has been seen,
Old master goes to Baltimore,
And mistress goes away,
And when they see their slaves again
They’re all in Canada.
Uncle Sam has tried hard
To find the mystic route;
But well do our engineers
Know what they are about.
While he is sleeping soundly,
They are wide awake,
And firing up the engine,
That runs across the Lake.
The Underground Railroad
Is doing mighty well;
The number of her passengers
Is very hard to tell.
When once they ship for Canada,
It’s had to bring them back,
For “Johnny” runs a strong race,
And never flies the track.
credits
from Songs of Slavery and Emancipation,
released June 17, 2022
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Jalopy Records Brooklyn, New York
New York City's "best and only" Folk music record label.
Jalopy Records is the in-house record
label for the Jalopy Theatre and School of Music, located in Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY. The Jalopy Theatre is a grassroots community music venue and cultural center dedicated to folk music from the United States and around the world.
... more
discography
-
Jul 2024 -
May 2024 -
Oct 2023 -
Sep 2023
contact / help
If you like Jalopy Records, you may also like:
-
Estrellas de Radio
by Jake Sanderssupported by 61 fans who also own “The Underground Railroad”
This album is one of my favorite discoveries on Bandcamp. "Waltzes, rags and blues" doesn't begin to describe how immersive an experience it is listening to these songs; which transport you to the early part of the last century. The collection toggles between USA and Italy and though the band has mastered both locales, I find the Italian songs are truly swoonworthy. Such a brilliant group of artists playing on this album. It's just fabulous! Bravo Jake for putting this together!
go to album -
Long Time To Be Gone
by Nora Brownsupported by 61 fans who also own “The Underground Railroad”
I have listened to bluegrass and old-timey style banjo music for many years. Nora Brown has the most poetic interpretation of these styles that I have heard so far. She is the John Fahey of banjo (but also with striking vocals).
go to album -
A Stranger That You Met Before
by A Day Without LoveA love letter to the DIY music scene.
go to album -
Sidetrack My Engine
by Nora Brownsupported by 60 fans who also own “The Underground Railroad”
Amazing rendition from one so young
go to album -
The Old Church
by Roscoe Holcombsupported by 60 fans who also own “The Underground Railroad”
go to album -
Going Down to 'Leven Point
by Ozark Highballerssupported by 60 fans who also own “The Underground Railroad”
go to album -
Pat Conte, 7 Inch Series
by Pat Contesupported by 59 fans who also own “The Underground Railroad”
go to album
