The Planter's Lament

Song lyrics mimicking an old slave poem

All my days
I say my prayers
I close my eyes
And break my bread

I lift my head
Under burning sun
I wait for mother’s
Hand to come

And lift me up
To the heavens high
Under cauldron red
Fire burning sky

My legs in chains
Shackled down
The earthen lead
Holds me now

In it’s muddy grip
With it’s fingertips
I’m a lonely child
On my mother’s hip

Blood trickles down
On my beaten brow
The cold sweat stings
All of master’s sins

My heart it aches
His bough gon’ break
When he hears the sounds
Of the angel’s wings
On the heels of hounds
As the devil sings
“Gonna hunt him down”
“Gonna hunt him down”
“Gonna hunt him down”
“Gonna hunt him down”