February 17, 2022 | Tags: Joseph McCarter Simpson
Melody: “My Old Kentucky Home”
I dreamed last night of my old Kentucky home,
Of my old Kentueky [sic] home far away;
I thought old master and I were all alone
In the parlor about the break of day.
I thought old master was weeping like a child,
Said I, O Master, what is wrong?
He heard my voice, and he then began to smile,
Why, said he, what made you stay [away] so long?
Weep no. more, old master—
Weep no more, I pray;
I will sing one song at my old Kentucky home,
And return again to old Canada.
He says, my boy come and let us take a walk;
Thinks I, there’s something yet behind;
And the first thing I know I’ll be standing on the block,
Or be writhing ‘neath a sweet “ninety nine,”
Says I , O master, I pray don’t punish me!
I’m weary, my journey has been long;
I have been up North where the colored man is free,
Now I’ll sing to you a sweet little song.
Chorus
Now the moon shone bright, and the day began to break;
It was time for the Negro Horn to blow;
The old master says you shall never see the Lake.
You are mine, I shall never let you go;
Then he gave one yell and the hounds began to bay;
He bolted the West parlor door—
I awoke from sleep just as we commenced the fray,
And beheld, twas a dream and nothing more.
Chorus