# An Essay on Slavery

An Eſsay on Slavery, with ſubmiſsion to Divine providence, knowing that God Rules over all things----
Written by Jupiter Hammon
1 Our forefathers came from Africa Tost over the raging main To a Christian shore there for to stay And not return again. 2 Dark and dismal was the Day When slavery began All humble thoughts were put away Then slaves were made by Man. 3 When God doth please for to permit That slavery should be It is our duty to submit Till Christ shall make us free 4 Come let us join with one consent With humble hearts and say For every sin we must repent And walk in wisdom’s way. 5 If we are free we’ll pray to God If we are slaves the same It’s firmly fixt in his holy word Ye shall not pray in vain. 6 Come bleſsed Jesus in thy Love And hear thy children cry And send them smiles now from above And grant them Liberty. 7 Tis thou alone can make us free We are thy subjects too Pray give us grace to bend a knee The time we stay below. 8 Tis unto thee we look for all Thou art our only King Thou hast the power to save the soul And bring us flocking in. ​9 We come as sinners unto thee We know thou hast the word Come bleſsed Jesus make us free And bring us to our God. 10 Although we are in Slavery We will pray unto our God He hath mercy beyond the sky Tis in his holy word. 11 Come unto me ye humble souls Although you live in strife I keep alive and save the soul And give eternal life. 12 To all that do repent of sin Be they bond or free I am their saviour and their king They must come unto me. 13 Hear the words now of the Lord The call is loud and certain We must be judged by his word Without respect of person. 14 Come let us seek his precepts now And love his holy word With humble soul we’ll surely bow And wait the great reward. 15 Although we came from Africa We look unto our God To help our hearts to sigh and pray And Love his holy word. 16 Although we are in slavery Bound by the yoke of Man We must always have a single eye And do the best we can. 17 Come let us join with humble voice Now on the christian shore If we will have our only choice Tis slavery no more. ​18 Now ſhurely let us not repine And say his wheels are slow He can fill our hearts with things divine And give us freedom too. 19 He hath the power all in his hand And all he doth is right And if we are tide to the yoke of man We’ll pray with all might. 20 This the state of thousands now Who are on the christian shore Forget the Lord to whom we bow And think of him no more. 21 When shall we hear the joyfull sound Echo the christian shore Each humble voice with songs resound That slavery is no more. 22 Then shall we rejoice and sing Loud praises to our God Come sweet Jesus heavenly king The art the son Our Lord. 23 We are thy children blessed Lord Tho still in slavery We’ll seek thy precepts Love thy word Untill the day we Die. 24 Come blessed Jesus hear us now And teach our hearts to pray And seek the Lord to whom we bow Before tribunal day. 25 Now glory be unto our God All praise be justly given Come seek his precepts love his works That is the way to Heaven.
A Negro Man belonging to M$^r$ John Lloyd Queens Village on Long Island
November 10th 1786
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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