Harriet Tubman (1821-1913) was an instrumental figure in helping slaves escape
along the Underground Railroad. She made nineteen trips from the South to New York.
Each time she helped free slaves. Ultimately she freed over three hundred slaves. Each trip
she risked her life despite the $40,000 bounty on her head. She was wanted in the South
for her unwillingness to comply with the Fugitive Slave Law, which stated that all slaves found north of
the Mason-Dixon Line were to be returned to their owners. Tubman also assisted the Union military. She
was sent by Governer Andrew of Massachusetts to the South at the beginning of the Civil War to be a spy and act
for the Union forces. Tubman was called the Moses of her people for her extensive efforts.
The following song was sung by the fugitives travelling the Underground Railroad towards freedom.
Oh go down, Moses,
Way down into Egypt's land,
Tell old Pharoah,
Let my people go.
Oh Pharoah said he wold go across,
Let my people go,
And don't get lost in de wilderness,
Let my people go.
Oh go down, Moses,
Way down into Egypt's land,
Tell old Pharoah,
Let my people go.
Oh go down, Moses,
Way down into Egypt's land,
Tell old Pharoah,
Let my people go.
You may hinder mere here, but you can't up dere,
Let my people go,
He sits in de Hebben and answers prayer,
Let my people go!
Oh go down, Moses,
Way down into Egypt's land,
Tell old Pharoah,
Let my people go.
Harriet Tubman
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