Singing the Living Tradition ‎#104

104. When Israel Was in Egypt's Land

1 When Israel was in Egypt's land,
let my people go;
oppressed so hard they could not stand,
let my people go.

Refrain:
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land,
tell old Pharaoh, to let my people go.

2 The Lord told Moses what to do,
let my people go;
to lead the children of Israel through,
let my people go. [Refrain]

3 For you the cloud shall clear the way,
let my people go;
a fire by night, a shade by day,
let my people go. [Refrain]

4 We need not always weep and moan,
let my people go;
and wear these slav'ry chains forlorn.
let my people go. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: When Israel was in Egypt's Land
• Title: When Israel Was in Egypt's Land
• Refrain First Line: God down, Moses
• Meter: 8.5.8.5. with refrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Words and Deeds of Prophetic Women and Men: Exemplars and Pioneers; Freedom; Passover
• Source: African American spiritual, c. 1750-1875

Tune Information

• Name: TUBMAN
• Meter: 8.5.8.5. with refrain
• Key: g minor
• Source: African American spiritual, c. 1750-1875
• Copyright: © 1947, 1974 Simon & Schuster, Inc. and Artist & Writers, Inc., renewed 1981 Simon & Schuster, Inc.