I am an Abolitionist!
I glory in the name:
Though now by Slavery’s minions hiss’d
And covered o’er with shame,
It is a spell of light and power —
The watchword of the free : ——
Who spurns it in the trial-hour,
A craven soul is he !
I am an Abolitionist!
Then urge me not to pause;
For joyfully do I enlist
In Freedom’s sacred cause:
A nobler strife the world ne’er saw,
Th’ enslaved to disenthral;
I am a soldier for the war,
Whatever may befall!
I am an Abolitionist!
Oppression’s deadly foe;
In God’s great strength will I resist,
And lay the monster low;
In God’s great name do I demand,
To all be freedom given,
That peace and joy may fill the land,
And songs go up to heaven!
I am an Abolitionist!
No threats shall awe my soul,
No perils cause me to desist,
No bribes my acts control;
A freeman will I live and die,
In sunshine and in shade,
And raise my voice for liberty,
Of nought on earth afraid.
Notes
This piece is attributed to a person named Garrison.
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Abolitionist Song
From guest KB (contact)
Where did you get this written script? I would like to see the original as a photo. The Antislavery Ensemble at the University of Arizona sings this and four other abolitionist songs on iTunes. The 1839 version of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" is particularly moving. The singing is well-presented the style of 19th century choral groups. If the author of this poem is Garrison, that would probably be William Lloyd Garrison, a Boston leader in the Abolitionist movement. These brave activists and all the people who reverently sang the songs to change thinking about slavery deserve to be remembered as heroes all over our country. They framed the question of what freedom is and how universal liberty is the theme which needs perfection in our nation. Although slavery has a different face today, it is equally reprehensible and needs strong voices raised against violence and inequality.
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