Spirituals and Drums

My ancestors walking in the night using oil lights and moonlight for guides while being instructed to Wade in the Water to camouflage their scents like disguise The Sweet Chariot awaited so they could ride away Harriet was a soldier and it wasn't an option to be caught during the day That's the same mentality Nat Turner had when he sang Steal Away They would follow the drinking gourd so all were in accord to go north The Gospel Train was coming and at the end of the journey was a fine reward Freedom was coming and it was a long time coming and they walked until they heard freedom bells ringing and I still hear their tired footsteps running Thinking of My Darling Nelly Gray Stolen from my arms a random September day and eliminated our chances to run away together No family ties, no love, no strength says the oppressor Then I hear the drums beat in the darkness giving me the hope of finally being free Maybe I'll follow them this time on faith on bended knee There must be a place for me among the light of this darkness Among oppression, thieves, evil-doers no thought on their conscience Thank goodness for the safe houses that supported our traveled distances and for the conductors who bore witnesses and may God have mercy on the souls who were against this and on those who chose to forget this sh@! I still hear crying in quilts of safety because I know that the burden was heavy to be at the mercy of nature and patrol men catching run-away slaves for money Some did it bare feet with freedom ahead of this loved induced journey and they made it So all that bull about how your life is hard just stuff it in an envelope and save it