,,MY ,,JIM             #A

            ,,NANCY ,,RAWLES

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
          ,?REE ,RIV]S ,PRESS
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
    ,COPY"R ^C #BJJE 0,NANCY ,RAWLES
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
         ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN3
        #AC3 #IGH-A-DJJJ-EDJA-E
         #AJ3 #A-DJJJ-EDJA-;,X

             ,TRANSCRIB$ BY
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #B ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #A-AJH

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
                                     ;II
























       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C ,COPY"R SYMBOL
@& ,AMP]S&
@ 7#D7 A35T SIGN



















                                     ;IV
























                                      ;V










              ,= ,MALAIKA1
            S Y ALW REMEMB]












                                     ;VI
























               ,,MY ,,JIM             #A

               ,,"P ,,"O
            ,M>IANNE ,LIBRE

                  ,J>

  ,*AS ,FREEMAN ASK ME 6M>RY HM4
  ,TAKE ME 0! H&4 ,TAKE ME 9 8 >MS4
,LIFT ME ON 8 HORSE & JUMP UP "R 2H ME4
,%[ ME A LR SAY HE GOT DUTY )! ,N9?
,CAVALRY AT ,=T ,ROB9SON ,NEBRASKA4 ,GOT
6RIDE \ "! & *ASE D[N !M SAVAGE :ITES &
,9DIANS4
  ,I R1L HAPPY = ,*AS4 ,HE S PR\D4 ,B ,I
DONT WANTS 6G 6,NEBRASKA & ,I TELLS HM
S4 ,CL\D -E OV] 8 FACE & HE GET R1L
QUIET4
  ,Y ?9K ON X HE SAY4 ,ME ,I CANT %>E-
CROPS NO M4 ,I A9T BORN A SLAVE & ,I A9T
GONNA LIVE L "O4
  ,:O GONNA KEEP ! L& ,I SAYS4 ,B HE A9T
GOT NO ANSW]4
  ,I -ES BACK = Y ,SUN"D AF NEXT HE SAY4
,Y -E IF Y WANT ME4 ,Y ! "O ,I WANTS4
,*AS ALW SURE B\T "EY?+4 ,ME ,I A9T   #B
S SURE & ,I CRIES :5 HE L1VE ME AT
,NANNA ,SADIES CAB94
  ,NANNA 9 "! %UCK+ CORN4
  ,:Y Y ALL ! WAY CRY+ %E WANT 6"K4 ,Y
"E SE5 A BIRD CRY+4 ,"H Y SITT+ FREE Z A
BIRD & CRY+ L A B1TD[N DOG4 ,:AT YR "N
%E SAY4
  ,Y "K MY "N ,I TELLS H]4
  ,I "KS X4 ,Y ! "O =GET4 ,%E LOOK AT ME
R1L H>D CAUSE %E MAD N[4 ,:AT YR "N %E
SAY AG4
  ,M>IANNE4 ,I C H>DLY ANSW]S4 ,H] ASK+
MAKE ME WEEP4
  ,M>IANNE :AT4 ,%E S.D L A PR1*] ON
,JUDG;T ,"D4
  ,M>IANNE ,LIBRE4
  ,Y ,FREE ,M>IANNE4 ,GOT A FREEMAN ASK+
= YR H&4 ,:AT Y GONNA SAY GAL4
  ,I CANT SAYS NO?+ S ,I LOOKS D[N AT !
FLOOR4
  ,:AT YE> WE 9 %E WANT 6"K4
  ,%E N"E "K ! YE>4 ,%E SAY X A9T IMPOR-
TANT4 ,B %E "K ,I C.TS ! YE> & %E MAKE
ME TELL H] :5 %E MAD4 ,NANNA RECKON ,I
R1DS & WRITES & FIGURES B ,I A9T      #C
GOTS NO M S5SE ?AN A LI<TN+ BUG4
  #AHHD4 ,I SAYS X 6MY FEET4
  ,:5 Y BORN GAL4
  #AHFH4
  ,H[ OLD Y N[4
  #AF4
  ,:AT Y WAIT+ = !N4
  ,I A9T CRY+ NO M B ,I / CANT F9DS MY
^WS4 ,I HATES 6?9K B\T L1V+ MY NANNA4
,%E CANT H>DLY SEE B %E SEE MY FE>4
  ,DONT WORRY B\T ME %E SAY4 ,YR UNCLES
GONNA -E R.D & HELP ME ) MY CROP4 ,DONT
BO!R YRF B\T ME N"O4 ,MY _SS & MY S;GS
SURR.D+ ME4
  ,%E *EW+ ON H] PIPE4
  ,B H[ ,I "KS ,*AS ! "O ,I ASKS4
  ,HE S+ DONT HE %E SAY4 ,GDLOOK+ FELLA
& /R;G4 ,WANT "S?+ = HISSELF4 ,N"E GET )
NOBODY DONT WANT NO?+ = HISSELF4 ,HE S+
& HE "K H[ 6WE> A HAT4 ,I LIKES A MAN "K
H[ 6WE> A HAT4 ,I BETS HE WE>+ T HAT :5
HE ASK Y = YR H&4
  ,%E LI<T H] PIPE LOOK+ AT ME \ ! CORN]
( H] EYE4 ,%E SEE ) T CORN]4 ,IF SLAVES
C LOVE Y C LOVE %E SAY4 ,*AS LOVE Y   #D
& HE WANT Y 6M>RY HM4 ,I GIVES Y TWO MY
B.S+4
  ,I A9T SURE ,I LOVES ,*AS ,FREEMAN4
,HE ALM A MAN B ,I A9T "? 2+ A *4
  ,NANNA TAKE A L;G SMOKE4 ,%E BL[ H1VY
ON H] PIPE4
  ,Y SC>$ 6LOVE CAUSE Y SC>$ 6LOSE4 ,Y
WANT 6/AY "H ="E4 ,WA%+ :ITE FOLKS DIRTY
L954 ,SLOPP+ !Y HOGS4 ,NURS+ !Y *N4
  ,F> Z ,I C SEES X A9T S DI6]5T AT ,=T
,ROB9SON ,I SAYS4 ,AF DO+ ALL !M SOLDI]S
LAUNDRY ,I / GOTS 6NURSE MY *N & SLOP MY
[N HOGS4
  ,I SEES Y / GOT T T;GUE 9 YR M\? ,NAN-
NA SAY4 ,Y M>RY Y GOT 6WAT* T T;GUE4 ,%E
PUT D[N H] PIPE & PUT D[N ! CORN4 ,%E
TAKE MY H& L :5 ,I 0 LL4 ,%E PAT ME ON !
H&4
  ,DONT MAKE ME G ,NANNA4 ,I ?R[S MY >MS
R.D H] NECK4 ,WE /&S T WAY A L;G "T TILL
! LI<T />T 6L1VE4 ,WE A9T GOTS NO C&LE &
N "O ,LIB]TY NICKEL4 ,NO OIL =! LAMP OR
,9DIAN H1D P5NY4 ,X SUMM] 9 ,%REVEPORT &
PL5TY HOT4 ,MOON SITT+ L[ 9 ! SKY & TWO
( U ?9K+ B\T N"E SEE+ EA* O!R NO M4   #E
  ,AF A:ILE ,I FEELS MY NANNA CRY+4 ,A9T
N"E "KS H] 6CRY4 ,N EV5 :5 ,PAPA ,DUBAN
DIE LA/ W9T]4 ,8 HE>T FAIL & WE F9DS HM
ON ! FLOOR4
  ,L;G "T AGO ,I WANTS 6/AY %E SAY4 ,I
WANTS 6/AY & !Y A9T LET ME4
  ,%E SO2+ A L[ MOAN4 ,I TRIES 6-=T H] B
%E OLD4 ,I CANT SAYS H[ OLD N[4 ,I HELPS
Y MAKE ! CROP ,I SAYS4 ,I A9T WANTS TO
L1VE Y ,NANNA4 ,!Y GONNA TAKE \R HORSE &
PL[ & *ICK5S CAUSE ,PAPA ,DUBAN D"O SIGN
! PAP]4 ,?ATS :Y Y CRY+ A9T X ,NANNA4
  ,%E %AKE H] H1D4 ,PAPA ,DUBAN GD 6ME
ALL 8 "DS %E SAY4 ,%E MOVE AWAY F ME4
,A9T LOVE MAKE Y LOSE "EY?+4 ,LIFE J M1N
?ATS ALL4
  ,%E TALK+ R1L S(T N[4 ,I SEES H] EYES
LOOK+ F> AWAY4 ,I A9T CRIES = ,PAPA
,DUBAN %E SAY4 ,I CRIES ?9K+ B\T H[ !Y
=CE ME 6L1VE MY HUSB&4 ,H[ !Y TE> MY *N
F ME4 ,ALL !M YE>S AGO4 ,I WANTS 6/AY &
!Y A9T LET ME4
  ,:AT HUSB& ,I SAYS4 ,:AT *N4 ,I N"E
HE>S Y CALL !Y "NS4
  ,MY ,JIM %E :ISP]4 ,MY ,LIZBE?4     #F
,MY ,JONNIE4 ,BE5 YE>S S9CE ,I CALLS !Y
"NS4
  ,X S HOT ! DOOR /&+ OP54 ,_SS -E 9 &
FILL ! ROOM )! COOL ( !Y L"OLI;S4 ,F/
,NANNA ,SADIE RILE4 ,!N %E P1CE;L4 ,S++
H] TR.E S;G4 ,ROCK+ SIDE 6SIDE4 ,H] H&S
WAV+ R.D H] H1D4
  ,%E BACK 9 SLAV]Y "DS4 ,BACK =E ! W>4
,"S OLD P TALK B\T !M "TS B !Y GR&*N A9T
WANT 6HE> X4 ,MY NANNA N"E TALK B\T H]
CAPTIVE "T4 ,I SC>$ 6TR\# H] B\T X4 ,%E
MAD AT ME = BR++ BACK ! %AME ( !M "DS4
,B ,I ALM A WOMAN & ,I WANTS 6"K MY NAN-
NAS HE>T4 ,MAYBE XS CAUSE %E ?9K+ ,I
GONNA L1VE T ,NANNA ,SADIE DECIDE 6TALK4
,MAYBE %E J WANT 6TELL "SBODY4
  ,%E FALL 6! FLOOR4 ,I RUNS & GETS H]
"S WAT] & HOLDS ! CUP 6H] M\?4 ,!N ,I
TAKES MY KNIFE & SLICES A P1*4 ,I PUTS X
"U H] NOSE & LETS X RE/ ON H] LIPS4 ,I
CALLS H] BACK 6? SU6]+ _W S ! _SS A9T
C>RY H] (F4 ,%E LOOK AT ME L %E SEE+ ME
=! F/ "T4
  ,I HELPS H] 6SIT & ,I SITS D[N AT H]
FEET4 ,%E RE/ H] H& ON MY H1D4        #G
  ,:AT Y RECALL ( YR MAMA %E ASK4
  ,I PICKS UP H] PIPE & TAKES A SMOKE4
,I DRAWS ! TOBA3O 9 DEEP S MY ?ROAT &
*E/ BURN ) X4 ,:5 ,I TALKS B\T MY MAMA
MY ?ROAT & *E/ ALL ! WAY BURN4
  ,H] FEET 9 %OES ,I SAYS4 ,:5 %E L1VE
%E GOT H] FEET 9 %OES WALK+ AWAY F ME4
,I / HE>S ! S.D ( H] FEET4
  ,NANNA ,SADIE LOOK TIR$4 ,H[ L;G X BE5
%E SAY4 ,H[ _M YE>S S9CE %E G"O AWAY4
  #H4
  ,H[ OLD 0 Y !N4
  #H4
  ,YR MAMA B\T T SAME SIZE :5 !M ,UNION
TROOPS -E "? ,NEW ,ROADS4 ,ALL ! *N JUMP
& %\T4 ,YR MAMA FOLL[ AL;G SKIPP+ &
DANC+4 ,& "S YE>S LAT] :5 !M ,UNION SOL-
DI]S RUN \ ( ,L\ISIANA %E FOLL[ !M AG4
,L1VE Y ) ME4
  ,%E SMELL L L1!R & DYE ,I SAYS4 ,%E "W
=! SA4LEMAK] & HE GIVE H] A OLD PAIR (
%OES4 ,"O "D %E J WALK (F 9 !M4
  ,YR MAMA BORN WALK+4 ,Y LATE WALK+
,M>IANNE ,LIBRE4 ,/ SC>$ 6T\* GR.D4 ,L !
MUD GONNA SWALL[ Y UP4 ,X A9T SWAL-   #H
L[ Y YET4 ,B X HOLD Y FIRM 6? PLACE4 ,"T
= Y 6G & YR FEET DONT WANT 6MOVE4 ,BETT]
GET Y "S WALK+ %OES GAL4 ,/OP ALL YR
WEEP+ & G ON ) YR SOLDI] BOY4 ,LIFE B.D
6BE BETT] 9 ! T]RITORIES4 ,CANT 2 NO
WORSE4 ,:5 HE -+ BACK = Y4
  ,SAY HE -+ ,SUN"D AF NEXT4
  ,H[ _M "DS F N[4
  #AE4
  ,Y "S GD AT C.T+ A9T Y4 ,LETS SEE :AT
ELSE Y C D4 ,WE GONNA SEW Y A MEMORY
QUILT4 ,CANT LETS Y G (F 6NO PRAIRIE
LESS Y GOT YR FAMILY ) Y4 ,!Y SAY A9T
NO?+ L T COLD W9D -+ (F ! PRAIRIE4
  ,9 ! H1T (! "D :5 XS TOO HOT 6MOVE WE
TAKES 6SEW+ ! QUILT4 ,I BR+S ,NANNA
PIECES F ! GAL :O SEW =! :ITE S1M/RESS4
,I GA!RS SCRAPS F ! FAMILIES ,I TAKES 9
WA%+ =4 ,!Y SAY ,M>Y Y GET U ANO!R GAL
IF Y RUNN+ (F4
  ,GONNA BACK ? QUILT ) "S?+ H1VY ,NANNA
SAY4 ,TAKE ,PAPA ,DUBANS OLD "W CLO!S &
YR MAMAS OLD APRON4 ,GONNA PUT "S?+ (
MYF 9 "! TOO4 ,L;G Z Y GOT "S?+ ( LOVE
6HOLD ONTO Y "K Y A P]SON ( WOR?4     #I
,ONLY FOLKS RE,Y [N !YSELVES ! "OS "K
:AT !Y WOR?4
  ,G GET MY J> %E SAY4 ,I GOTS "S ?+S ,I
WANTS 6%[ Y4
  ,!Y ! ?+S %E KEEP 9SIDE A CANN+ J> ON
A %ELF ABV ! /OVE4 ,ALL ^! YE>S ,I N"E
"KS :Y !Y "!4 ,J A FEW SMALL ?+S Y C
HOLD 9 "O H&4 ,I FEELS !M ) MY F+]S4
,KNIFE S SMALL4 ,PIECE ( FELT4 ,BOTTOM (
A CLAY B[L4 ,*ILDS TOO?4 ,%9Y GOLD BUT-
TON4 ,CORN PIPE ?ICK ) T>4
  ,I C>RIES !M ?+S F A L;G "T AGO %E
SAY4 ,F UP ! ,MISSISSIPPI ,I BR+S !M4
,H[ OLD ,I BE4
  ,I DONT "K ,NANNA ,SADIE4 ,OLD Z
,GRANT ,I SPECTS4
  ,WE GOTS 6PRAY =! ,G5]AL %E SAY4 ,I 2
"S SAD :5 HE G4 ,Y *N CANT N"E "K :AT HE
M1N 6U OLD "OS4 ,I A GR[N WOMAN =E ,I
2LIEVES !YS A :ITE MAN WANT ME 6BE FREE4
  ,= M ?AN A WEEK ,NANNA TELL ME :AT
GR[N FOLKS SC>$ 6TALK B\T4 ,"S"T H]
VOICE TREM# "S"T X %\T4 ,I LI/5S 6ALL %E
SAY4 ,:5 %E TELL X 9 A SMALL VOICE ,I
L1NS CLOSE 6HE>4 ,WE CUTS ! SQU>ES   #AJ
& PIECES \R /ORIES4 ,I WRITES D[N "EY?+
%E SAY4
  ,& AT ! 5D (! TELL+ ,I "KS :AT 6D4





















               ,,"P ,,TWO            #AA
             ,SADIE ,WATSON

                 ,KNIFE

  ,KNIFE GOT BLOOD ON X4 ,Y LOOK CLOSE Y
SEE BLOOD4 ,Y SEE BLOOD GO+ BACK =E ME
6MY MAMA4 ,%E TAKE T KNIFE :5 %E L1VE
,VIRG9IA & ,I BR+S X F ,MISS\RI ALL !
WAY 6,L\ISIANA4 ,?ATS H] KNIFE %E USE =
DOCTOR+4 ,J L ! :ITE DOCTORS KNIFE B A9T
GOT NO HOOK ON X4 ,K9D ( KNIFE PROP]
:ITE *N USE = !Y FRUIT4 ,MAMA ALW SAY %E
F A PROP] ,VIRG9IA PLANT,N ) RI* IMPOR-
TANT :ITES & POOR IMPORTANT NI7]S4 ,A
RI* TOBA3O PLACE ) ROLL+ HILLS & :ITE
H\SES4 ,%E CRY 6L1VE X4 ,-E 6,MISS\RI Z
A GIRL C>RY+ H] MAMAS ,3GO B[L &A KNIFE
%E /1L F H] MI/RESS4
  ,KNIFE S SMALL ,I SEWS X 9 MY DRESS4
,I MAKES A POCKET )A PAT* ( 9DIGO & SEWS
MY ?+S 9SIDE4 ,I "KS ,MAS ,/EV5S B\T TO
SELL ME4 ,I ALR LOSS MY FAMILY4 ,N[ ,I
SC>$ 6LOSE MY ?+S4 ,DRESS S OLD & TORE4
,NO?+ B BR[N RAGS & BLUE PAT*ES4 ,IF ,I
B5DS ! WR;G WAY ,I FEELS T KNIFE     #AB
GA9/ MY LEG4 ,& ME S ?9 L A /ALK ( CANE4
  ,!Y PU% ME ONTO ! /1M]4 ,!Y %OVE ME S
H>D ,I FALLS D[N4 ,T KNIFE CUT "R 96MY
?I<4 ,I A9T CRIES ?\<4 ,J /U6S MY SKIRT
TWE5 MY LEGS 6/AY ! BLOOD4 ,& BITES D[N
H>D ON MY LIP 6TURN MY M9D4 ,H&S *A9
TGR4 ,ROPE R.D MY WAI/ FIX ME 6! "O 9
FRONT &! "O 2H4 ,HE>T HURT S4 ,A9T NO
SALVE4
  ,MY ,JIM /&+ ON ! LEVEE WAT*+ !M TAKE
ME4 ,NO?+ HE C D B\T X4 ,J /& "! & CURSE
,MAS = SELL+ ME4
  ,=E WE "PS HE ASK C HE KEEP MY SC>F4
,HE UNW9D X F MY H1D & TE> X4 ,!N HE TIE
X R.D 8 WAI/4 ,B9D ME 6HM )A R$ KNOT4
,?ATS :Y ,I CANT LETS HM G F MY M9D4
,L;G YE>S LAT] ,I / 2LIEVES WE "O "D
F9DS EA* O!R4
  ,HE TRY 6BUY ME \ ! P54 ,MAS ,/EV5S
WONT SELL ME4 ,A9T GONNA SELL ME 6,JIM
OR NOBODY 9 ,HANNIBAL4 ,CANT /& ! IDEA
,I MI<T GOES 6MY HUSB&4 ,I GOTS 6BE PUN-
I%4 ,WORSE PUNI%;T =A NI7] 2+ SOLD D[N-
RIV]4 ,Y ALL ! WAY LOSS !N4 ,D[N S\? !Y
"W ! LIFE \ Y4 ,LET ! CANE & COT-    #AC
TON KILL Y !N BUY !YSELVES ANO!R4
  ,JIM A FREE MAN !N B T A9T M1N NO?+ 9
,MISS\RI4 ,N S9CE !Y MAKE T FUGITIVE
SLAVE LAW4 ,ANY NO C.T PATROLL] -E SNAT*
Y & SELL Y 6SLAV]S NO MATT] H[ _M PAP]S
Y GOT4 ,LOTS ( FOLKS RUN (F N"E LIVE TO
TELL ! TALE4 ,B MY ,JIM A SE]4 ,?ATS H[
HE MAKE X BACK ALIVE4
  ,:ITE FOLKS 9 ,HANNIBAL FAVOR ,JIM
CAUSE HE F9D ! "O BOY "EYBODY 2LIEVE D1D
& HE KEEP ! O!R BOY F BLE$+ 6D1?4 ,:ITE
FOLKS ?9K ,JIM GOT P[] = GD4
  ,!Y N"E SAY T B\T ME4 ,MY P[] F ! DEV-
IL4 ,I ! "O CAUSE ,JIM 6RUN (F4 ,SADIE
%E GOT ! P[] OV] HM4 ,:]"E %E G %E CALL
HM 6H]4 ,PUT A SPELL ON HM :5 HE / TOO
"Y 6"K X4 ,BLACK FOLKS SAY X TOO4
  ,B A9T NO SPELL4 ,I BURIES 8 CORD ?ATS
ALL4 ,?ATS ! CORD CALL+ HM N ME4 ,I
HELPS HM -E 9 6? _W S HE M9E F BIR? & ,I
A9T NE$S NO SPELL4 ,YR F/ CAT* ALL ! WAY
2L;G 6Y4 ,?ATS :AT MY MAMA SAY4
  ,:5 ,JIM BORN ,I A9T NO HI<] ?AN A B>-
REL4 ,/ TOO LL 6"W TOBA3O4 ,JIM -E 9
SUMM] :5 ALL H&S 9 ! FIELDS =! F/    #AD
PICK+4 ,TOBA3O L1F />T+ 6CURL & SPOT4
  ,JIM ! F/ SLAVE BORN 9 ,CLE> ,CREEK S
,MAS ,WATSON SAY HE BR+ GD LUCK4 ,JIM
BORN "R AF ,MAS ,WATSONS SECOND DAU<T]4
,HE GONNA 2 H] PRES5T :5 %E NE$ "SBODY
6PLAY )4
  ,"EYBODY SAY ,JIM FAVOR 8 DA4Y4 ,=E
,JIM BORN 8 DA4Y 4APPE>4 ,W5T ) "O ( !M
,MURRELL GANG PROMISE 6TAKE HM 6,QU9CY4
,A9T NO?+ B A GANG ( ?IEVES GO+ R.D
PROMIS+ SLAVES !Y FREEDOM4 ,!Y SELL HM
!N !Y KILL HM4 ,L1VE 8 BODY 9 ! ROAD4
  ,ALL ! "T ,JIMS MAMA C>RY+ HM %E CRAZY
) GRIEF4 ,A9T WANT 6GIVE ,MAS T BABY4
,%E D "EY?+ %E C 6/OP ,JIM -+4 ,MY [N
MAMA GIVE H] ! ROOTS &! L1VES B H] BELLY
GET BI7] ALL ! "T4 ,%E FI<T ) ,MAS &!
DRIV]4 ,TRY+ 6GET !M 6B1T T BABY \ ( H]4
,?ATS :AT MY MAMA SAY4 ,B ,MAS MAKE !M
DIG A HOLE = H] BELLY4 ,S !Y C B1T H] )-
\T KILL+ T BABY4
  ,BABY GET R1DY 6-E & ALL ! WOM5S BUSY
)! PICK+4 ,S ,JIMS MAMA GOT 6DRAG H]F
BACK 6! CAB9S ) NOBODY 6HELP4 ,%E A9T
MAKE X ALL ! WAY4 ,J SIT D[N "U T    #AE
:ITE OAK 9 ! GRAVEY>D & PU% ! BABY \ "R
"! 2T !M /"OS4
  ,I HE>S ,AUNT ,CORA CALL+ MY "N4 ,SA-
DIE %E SAY G SEE :O CRY+ \ T WAY4 ,I
L1VES ! Y>D & RUNS T[>D ! FIELDS4 ,?ATS
:5 ,I HE>S ,JIMS MAMA MOAN+ )! GO+ D[N
PA9S4 ,I F9DS H] 9 ! GRAVEY>D B ,I SC>$
6G NE>4 ,I RUNS BACK 6,CORA & TELLS H]
:AT ,I SE54
  ,L1D ME 6": %E LAY ,CORA SAY4 ,B F/ G
BR+ ME YR MAMAS KNIFE4 ,I DOES :AT ,AUNT
,CORA TELL ME4 ,I TAKES H] 0! H& & L1DS
H] 6! GRAVEY>D4 ,WE L1VES ! *N PLAY+ 9 !
DIRT4
  ,0! "T WE GETS "! ! BABY ALR -E4 ,I
CRIES :5 ,I SEES ! BLOOD4 ,:AT Y CRY+ =
,CORA SAY4 ,ALL BABIES -E 9 ! _W COV] 9
BLOOD4 ,?ATS ! WAY Y -E TOO4 ,LIFE A
BLOODY BUSI;S GAL4 ,BETT] GET USE 6X4
  ,CORA CANT SEE GD B %E FEEL T BABY
WRAP 9SIDE ! CORD4 ,HE A9T CRY+ OR NO?+4
,J LAY+ ON 8 MAMAS LEG4 ,CORA FEEL =!
CORD & HOLD X \ = ME 6CUT4 ,JIMS MAMA J
/>E AT ! BABY L HE "S K9D ( RAG & %E
CANT F9D NO USE = HM4 ,B ,CORA       #AF
PICK HM UP & PUT H] BR1? 9SIDE HM4 ,%E
TRY 6-=T 8 MAMA4 ,? BABY MI<T BUY YR
FREEDOM "O "D4
  ,IF Y L1VE HM L"O HE 2 FREE N[ 8 MAMA
SAY4 ,%E R1* \ 6TAKE ! BABY F ,CORA4 ,H]
H&S ALL GUMM$ UP ) JUICE F ! TOBA3O L1F4
,N[ ! BABY GOT ! JUICE ON HM4 ,HE COV]$
9 BLOOD & T>4 ,CORA TAKE HM BACK F 8
MAMA4 ,%E TELL ME 6BR+ H] "S WAT]4
  ,I GLAD =A JOB ,I C D4 ,I A9T S /R;G B
,I C TOTE WAT] BIG Z ME4 ,U *N BR+S !
FOOD & WAT] 6! "W]S 9 ! FIELDS4 ,ME ,I
MO/LY TOTES R.D ! CAB9S = ,CORA &! SICK
"OS4 ,I DOES T & EMPTIES ! SLOP4
  ,S ,I GOES GETS ! WAT] L ,CORA TELL
ME4 ,:5 ,I -ES BACK ,JIMS MAMA TRY+ 6CUT
H]F ) MY MAMAS KNIFE4 ,I SCR1MS :5 ,I
SEES ! LOOK 9 H] EYES4 ,I DROPS ! WAT] &
TELLS ,CORA %E GOT ! KNIFE4 ,CORA H& ME
! BABY4 ,!N %E />T SLAPP+ ,JIMS MAMA H>D
) TWO H&S B1T+ H] ALL B\T ! H1D TILL %E
DROP ! KNIFE & SOB4
  ,I LOOKS AT ! BABY B HE A9T MOV+ A9T
MAK+ NO S.D4 ,WE GONNA BURY HM "R "H
,CORA SAY4 ,NEXT 6HIS MAMA4 ,%E      #AG
GONNA BAWL TILL %E D1D4 ,B BO? ( !M
LIVE4 ,JIMS MAMA BACK 9 ! FIELD ! NEXT
WEEK & HE ASLEEP ON ,CORAS DIRT FLOOR4
,MY MAMA TAKE ME 6BURY ! CORD "U ! :ITE
OAK TREE4
  ,JIMS MAMA M/ ( BE5 HOP+ HE DIE CAUSE
%E A9T GIVE HM NO "N = MON?S4 ,ALL T "T
! FIRE BURN+ 9 ! SMOKEH\SE MAKE ! BABY
C\<4 ,8 MAMA GOT 6KEEP ! FIRE GO+ & %E
ALL ! "T SMELL L SMOKE4 ,%E BL[ SMOKE ON
H] BABY CAUSE %E A9T WANT HM 6LIVE4 ,B
HE F9D A WAY4
  ,MAS ,WATSON SAY ! BABY NE$ A "N S HE
C WRITE X 9 8 BOOK4 ,JIMS MAMA LOOK HM
D1D 9 ! FACE4 ,I "NS HM AF 8 DA4Y RUN
AWAY %E SAY4 ,MAS LOOK UPSET B HE G ON &
WRITE ,JIM 9 8 BOOK4 ,? "OS A GD BOY HE
SAY4 ,MAKE UP = T O!R "O4 ,HE WAIT =
,JIMS MAMAS CUTS 6H1L !N HE SELL H] D[N
RIV]4 ,HE SAY T SUG> CANE GONNA TAKE C>E
( H]4 ,B %E DIE =E ! BOAT MAKE ,/4
,L\IS4
  ,JIM NURSE AT ,CORAS TIT4 ,%E ! ONLY
MAMA HE "K4 ,CORA A9T GOT NO *N B %E
TAKE C>E ( "EYBODY ELSES *N4 ,H]     #AH
[N *N ALL DIE "Y4
  ,%E GOT O!R ORPHAN BABIES 9 "! ) H]4
,:5 !Y OLD] !Y GONNA "W ! FIELDS4 ,L;G Z
,CORA KEEP !M ALIVE TILL !N4
  ,ME ,I TAKES C>E ( ,JIM L A SI/]4 ,:5
HE />T 6WALK HE TRY 6FOLL[ ME 6! FIELDS4
,MO/LY ,I SEES HM AT NI<T 9 ,CORAS CAB94
,"T ,JIM BORN ,I GOTS A BABY SI/] "N (
,J5NY4 ,I ONLY SE5 H] ONCE S9CE WE 0
SMALL4
  ,I ! F/ ( MY MAMAS *N &! ONLY "O ,MAS
LET H] KEEP4 ,"EYBODY SAY XS CAUSE ,MAS
,WATSON MY DA4Y4 ,B !Y SAY HE ,J5NYS
DA4Y TOO & HE SELL H] (F SOON Z %E C
SWEEP UP 2H ! *ICK5S4 ,MAS SAY %E OLD 5
6HOLD A BABY & PLUCK A *ICK5 %E OLD 5 6G
6A FAMILY 9 T[N4
  ,HE DRESS H] UP & TAKE H] HISSELF4 ,%E
HAPPY CAUSE %E GO+ =A RIDE4 ,MAS TAKE
,J5NYS H& & %E WAVE 6U4 ,HE SIT H] ON 8
LAP4
  ,ME & ,J5NY BORN 9 ,CAPE ,GIR>D1U4 ,WE
LL GIRLS :5 ,MAS MOVE "EYBODY 6! PLACE
AT ,CLE> ,CREEK NE> ,HANNIBAL4 ,MISS\RI
J 2COME A /ATE & ,MAS /AKE HISSELF   #AI
A CLAIM4
  ,WE A9T N"E BE5 9 A BOAT =E T & WE
SC>$ ! RIV] GODS GONNA GET U4 ,ME & ,J5-
NY WE HOLDS ONTO ,MAMA & ,CORA4 ,MAS
,WATSON SIT 9 FRONT ) 8 WIFE & BABY4 ,HE
M>RY "R AF ,I BORN &! BABY -E "R AF T4
,%E OLD Z ME & OLD] ?AN ,J5NY B %E / A
BABY4 ,CANT D NO?+ B PLAY & SLEEP & EAT4
,ME & ,J5NY ALR "K H[ 6WA% & SEW4
  ,MAS F9D SLAVES C POLE A KEELBOAT UP-
/R1M 9 ANGRY WAT]4 ,BOAT PILE HI< ) P &
FURNITURE4 ,I SC>$ (! RIV] ALL ! BOATS &
P B ! POLEM5S S++ CALM ME D[N4 ,ME &
,J5NY WE HIDES :5 ! /1MBOAT PASS4 ,X
MAKE S M* NOISE L ! 5D (! _W4 ,MAMA &
,CORA SC>$ TOO4 ,MAS ,WATSON LAU< &
WAVE4
  ,\R LA/ "D 9 ! RIV] BABY R1* \ ! BOAT
=A DRAGONFLY4 ,I SEES H] FALL IN4 ,!
RIV] SWEEP H] D[N/R1M =E H] FOLKS R1LIZE
%E G"O4 ,"O ( !M POLEM5S CAT* H] 0! FOOT
& PULL H] \ ! WAT]4 ,WE -E 6,HANNIBAL
SOON AF T4
  ,MAMA TAKE UP )! MAN SAVE ,LL ,MISS4
,%E BE> ?REE M BABIES = HM4 ,"O      #BJ
DIE ( SW9E FEV] B ! O!R TWO GR[ 6BE
BOYS4 ,MAS HIRE !M \ 6! TOBA3O FACTORY 9
T[N4 ,WE ONLY SEES !M AT ,*RI/MAS4 ,I
A9T "KS !M IF ,I SEES !M AG4
  ,JIM 2COME MY BRO!R4 ,HE /& UP & WALK
E>LY S HE C FOLL[ ME R.D ! Y>D4 ,I GIVES
HM CORN 6FE$ ! *ICK5S4 ,HE PRETTY L A
GIRL4 ,! :ITE ( 8 EYE BLUE L A BIRDS
EGG4 ,EYELA%ES ALL CURL UP4 ,"O FALL 9 8
EYE Y ?9K HE 2+ B1T HE HOLL] S L\D4
  ,ALL U *N RUNS R.D 9 CLO!S S B>E WE
MI<T Z WELL WE>S NO?+4 ,JIM WE> CLO!S 8
MI/RESS GIVE HM4 ,! O!RS A9T L 6SEE HM 9
8 CLO!S4 ,!Y PU% HM D[N 9 ! DIRT & TE>
!M (F HM4 ,I A9T TRIES 6/OP !M4 ,I COV-
ETS 8 CLO!S TOO4
  ,MAMA SAY ,JIM A9T REGUL>4 ,HE GOT T
D\# SI<T %E SAY4 ,LOOK+ =W>D & BACKW>D
AT ! SAME "T4
  ,I CANT SEES :AT %E TALK+ B\T4 ,JIM
DONT WANT 6D NO?+ B PLAY4 ,LOOK 6ME L HE
MI<TY REGUL> T WAY4 ,SPECI,Y :5 X -E TO
"W+4 ,A9T GOT NO TAL5T ,I C SEES B RUNN+
R.D S++ A T1S+ S;G4 ,Y TELL HM D "S?+ HE
DONT WANT 6D & HE FIX Y )A />E T C   #BA
RUN Y "R "?4 ,CORA GOT 6SWIT* HM J 6MAKE
HM TOTE WAT]4 ,HE GET ! BUCKET & =GET !
WAT]4 ,I F9DS HM /&+ ON ! UPTURN BUCKET
R1*+ = "S BLACKB]RIES4 ,HE WANT ! "OS
ALL ! WAY AT ! TOP4
  ,JIM A GD SIZE =E HE -E 6! FIELDS4
,MAS USE HM R.D ! H\SE S]V+ & FET*+4 ,HE
DONT "K :AT 6D 9 ! FIELDS4 ,I TRIES 6%[
HM H[ 6F9D ! WORMS & PICK !M (F ! TOBA3O
PLANTS4
  ,EMMA ! CREW L1D]4 ,%E L1D ! "W S;GS4
,%E MAKE A LL S;G = ,JIM B\T A BOY SC>$
(A SNAKE GETT+ 9 8 PANTS4 ,EMMA SAY L1/
,JIM C S+4 ,?ATS MY ,JIM ,I SAYS4 ,FOLKS
LAU<+ AT HM4
  ,MAS ,WATSON GOT A SLAVE DRIV] "N (
,TAILOR4 ,:5 HE / "Y ,MAS HIRE HM \ 6!
TAILOR 9 T[N4 ,HE "W H>D & MAKE ,MAS GD
M"OY4 ,E YE> ,MAS GET A LL M = 8 LABOR4
,B ,MAS GOT TR\# KEEP+ DRIV]S4 ,LA/
DRIV] DR9K HISSELF 6D1? & ,MAS SAY HE
N"E GONNA HIRE NO :ITE DRIV] AG4 ,HE
CALL BACK ,TAILOR 6DRIVE U4 ,TAILOR
DRIVE U H>D] ?AN ! :ITES4 ,HE MAD B\T 2+
CALL BACK F T[N4 ,FOLKS SAY HE GOT   #BB
A WIFE 9 T[N4 ,FREE WOMAN GONNA BUY HM4
,B %E N"E BUY ,TAILOR & HE DIE A SLAVE J
L ! "D HE BORN4
  ,MAS ,WATSON S5D ,JIM 6! FIELDS CAUSE
"O (! M5S SICK )! G\T4 ,TAILOR G H>D ON
,JIM CAUSE HE SPOILT4 ,JIM GET :IP IF HE
CANT KEEP UP4 ,TAILOR "W HM H>D] ?AN !
O!R *N4 ,MAKE HM RUN ! R[S C>RY+ WAT] ON
8 H1D4 ,B1T HM IF HE SPILL ANY4
  ,"O "D ,JIM A9T -E :5 !Y R+ ! BELL4
  ,TAILOR SAY ": YR BOY4
  ,I PRET5DS ,I A9T "KS :O HE TALK+ B\T4
,WE BE5 "W+ = WEEKS ) NO BR1K4 ,!Y PU% U
96! FIELDS 2F DAWN4 ,WE MOVES H1VY L
%AD[S4 ,ONLY A /R+ ( LI<T %[+ XF 9 !
SKY4 ,A9T B>ELY LAY D[N & "T 6GET UP4
  ,:AT BOY ,I SAYS4
  ,! "O Y GIVE BIR? TO4 ,TAILOR LAU<4
,"S ! O!R M5S LAU< TOO4 ,"E S9CE ,I />TS
6FILL \ !Y L 6T1SE ME4 ,MAMA TELL !M
L1VE ME BE4
  ,JIM SICK %E TELL ,TAILOR4
  ,HE A9T SICK ,TAILOR SAY4 ,HE LAZY4 ,Y
G & TELL HM 6TOTE 8 BLACK ASS \ "H4
  ,HE CANT "W N[ ,MAMA SAY4 ,HE      #BC
TAKE )! FEV] 9 ! NI<T4 ,Y WAIT TILL HE
CURE4
  ,MAMA A9T LOOK AT ,TAILOR4 ,J KEEP
WALK+ D[N ! TOBA3O ROAD4
  ,I GONNA CURE HM ,TAILOR SAY4 ,? GONNA
CURE HM4
  ,HE CRACK 8 :IP OV] ,MAMAS BACK4 ,%E
B5D D[N L[ B A9T LET \ A S.D4 ,"EYBODY
ELSE KEEP WALK+4 ,MAMA GET BACK UP & />T
WALK+ TOO4 ,"EYBODY WALK B ME4
  ,I TRIES 6MOVE =E ,TAILOR NOTICE ME
/&+ "!4 ,B MY FEET *A9 6! GR.D4
  ,:AT Y LOOK+ AT4 ,TAILOR FIX 8 EYES ON
ME4 ,Y G & GET YR BOY4 ,Y RUN & FET* YR
,JIM4 ,S ,I C CURES HM R1L GD4
  ,I %AKES :5 HE TALK 6ME4 ,MAMA N>R[ H]
EYES4 ,I />TS 6RUN (F4 ,TAILORS :IP /+ !
BACK ( MY LEG & ,I /UM#S4 ,I "KS BETT]
?AN 6FALL4 ,/UPID NI7]S ,I HE>S HM SPIT4
,:IP CRACK AG4 ,I TURNS R.D 6SEE ,MAMA
ON H] H&S & KNEES 9 ! DIRT4 ,I />TS BACK
6HELP H]4
  ,TAILOR LOOK+ AT ME 6SEE :AT ,I GONNA
D4 ,I MEETS 8 EYES4 ,HE /OMP 8 FOOT ON !
GR.D L A HORSE B\T 6*>GE4 ,I RUNS    #BD
FA/ Z ,I C 6! CAB9S4
  ,JIM LAY+ ON 8 PALLET4 ,HE TREMBL+ )!
*ILLS & 8 BODY WET L A MAN BE5 "W+ ALL
"D4 ,Y GOT 6GET UP ,I TELLS HM4 ,Y GOT
6-E %[ ,TAILOR Y SICK4
  ,HE A9T SAY NO?+4 ,J MOAN4 ,I PUTS MY
H& ON 8 =EH1D4 ,I HE>S 8 TEE? RATTL+ R.D
9 8 H1D4 ,HE A9T /IR NO MATT] :AT ,I
SAYS4
  ,I BE5 G"O TOO L;G S ,I />TS BACK 6!
FIELDS4 ,TAILOR ACT L HE A9T SE5 ME4 ,!Y
GOT ! FIELD FIRE GO+ & HE /&+ OV] X W>M+
HISSELF4 ,I GOES 6MY R[ & />TS 9 6WORM+4
,I "KS HE GONNA HIT ME4 ,I J A9T "KS :54
  ,HE WAIT TILL ! "D ALM G"O4 ,WE GA!R+
\R SACKS & />T+ =! CAB9S4
  ,": Y GO+ GAL4
  ,I HE>S ,TAILORS VOICE OV] MY %\LD]4
,HE GOT TWO O!R M5S ) HM4 ,:5 ,I TURNS
R.D !Y GRAB ME & HOLD ME D[N4 ,I SCR1MS4
,!Y PULL MY DRESS OV] MY EYES4 ,I ?9KS
HE GONNA :IP ME B HE DONT4 ,HE %AKE 8
PIPE OV] ME4 ,A% BURN MY >M & /OMA*4 ,I
YELLS S L\D ,MAS ,WATSON -E 6HIS W9D[4
,HE LOOK \ AT ! FIELDS B NI<T ALR    #BE
FALL+4 ,8 EYES CANT SEE ME4
  ,EMMA HELP ,MAMA PICK ME UP4 ,!Y CUSS
,TAILOR &! O!R M5S4 ,!M M5S A9T D NO?+ B
LAU<4
  ,MY BODY ON FIRE4 ,X HURT 6BE HELD4 ,I
TRIES 6WALK 2T ,MAMA & ,EMMA B ,I CANT
/OPS %AK+4 ,! FIRES 9 MY H1D4 ,I WANTS
6TAKE A IRON 6,TAILOR4 ,I WANTS 6BURN 8
CAB9 D[N4
  ,PUT YR >M R.D MY NECK ,MAMA SAY4 ,WE
MAKES Y A P\LTICE 6/OP ! BURN+4 ,DONT
WORRY B\T ,TAILOR4 ,I GONNA PUT "S?+ ON
HM4 ,HE A9T N"E GONNA BO!R U AG4
  ,:5 WE GETS 6! CAB9 %E RUB ME ) WIT*
HAZEL SALVE4 ,%E MAKE A P\LTICE ( BUR-
DOCK L1VES & PUT X ON MY /OMA*4 ,%E RUB
"S D\< 9 L>D & L9SE$ OIL & WRAP X R.D MY
>M4 ,I SEES ": ! :IP TE> OP5 H] BACK4
,LET ME PUT "S SALVE ON Y ,MAMA4 ,Y KEEP
QUIET %E SAY & ,I GONNA MAKE Y "S FIVE
F+] TEA4 ,Y BE/ 6DR9K X SL[4
  ,MAMA "W ! FIELDS ALL "D & T5D ! SICK
ALL NI<T4 ,%E B>ELY LOOK UP :5 ,I BR+S
H] BISCUIT & GRAVY4 ,I TRIES 6HELP H] )
H] CURES B "S"TS ,I FALLS ASLEEP4    #BF
,%E WAKE ME UP 6M9D ! SICK BABIES4 ,I
C>ES = ,JIM :5 HE FALL D[N )! AGUE4 ,HE
TALK+ 9 T;GUES L A BODY POSSESS4 ,CORA
SAY HE BURNT UP 9 ! H1D4 ,HE GONNA 2
HALF CRAZY :5 HE WAKE UP %E SAY4 ,B E
MORN+ ,I MAKES HM A TEA ( D&ELION ROOT &
,9DIAN G+]4 ,& E NI<T ,I GIVES HM SYRUP
F ! B>K (A RIV] A%4 ,=E L;G HE GET
BETT]4
  ,:5 ,JIM -E 6HE C SEE4 ,N ORD9>Y ?+S B
?+S NOBODY ELSE C SEE4 ,CORA SAY HE BORN
)! VEIL4 ,B ,I A9T REMEMB] HM BORN )
NO?+ B A CORD R.D 8 NECK4
  ,HE TELL "EYBODY A GRT WAT] -+ 6TAKE !
LIV+ &! D1D4 ,T FALL ! RIV] FLOOD S BAD
HALF ! T[N FLOAT+4 ,TAILOR 9 T[N WALK+
NE> ! GRAVEY>D :5 X HAPP54 ,HE SE5 BOD-
IES BIG L ROTT5 WOOD DRIFT+ D[N ,MA9
,/REET & CAT*+ ON HORSE DRAWS4 ,HE WAT*
X ALL F A TREE4 ,AF ! RIV] G BACK D[N
T[NSFOLK CALL NI7]S 6CL1N UP ! MESS4
,TAILOR SAY HE /EPP+ ON B"OS SCATT] 9
MUD4 ,!Y GA!R ! BODIES & MOVE ! GRAVEY>D
6HI<] GR.D4
  ,AF T ,JIM SAY ! SKY GONNA FALL4   #BG
,:ITE FOLKS LAU< AT HM B U NI7]S
2LIEVES4 ,9 \R _W ! SKY ALW FALL+4 ,"O
COLD NI<T WE 9 ! CAB9S SLEEP+ CLOSE TGR
6/AY W>M4 ,MAS ,WATSON R+ ! BELL & WAKE
U UP4 ,HE SAY -E SEE ! SKY FALL+4 ,WE
ALL SC>$ 6D1?4 ,N ,JIM4 ,HE ! F/ "O \ !
CAB9S4
  ,N[ ! FEV] D"O LEFT HM HE TALK ALL !
"T4 ,& GR[N FOLKS LI/54 ,ALL U SLAVES
-ES \ ! CAB9S SL[LY4 ,WE WALKS CLOSE TGR
HOLD+ ONTO EA* O!R4 ,! NI<T B"R Z "D &
ALL ! />S FALL+ F ! SKY4 ,I N"E =GETS X4
  ,JIM TAKE ME 0! H& & L1D ME CLOSE 6!
,WATSONS4 ,!Y ALL WRAP UP 9 !Y COATS4
,PO9T+ UP AT ! SKY & SMIL+4 ,I N"E SE5 !
,WATSONS S HAPPY4 ,!Y GIVE U A TA/E (
HOT CID]4 ,JIM WALK ME BACK 6! CAB9S4
,ALM "T 6LI<T ! FIRES = MORN+4 ,HE :ISP]
6ME T NI<T4 ,I LOVES Y ALL MY LIFE HE
SAY4 ,TILL ! SKY FALLS AG4 ,I N"E =GETS
X4
  ,FOLKS HE> B\T H[ ,JIM C SEE & !Y />T
-+ 6,CLE> ,CREEK4 ,HE TELL B\T FRO/ RU9+
! CROPS & BOYS FALL+ "? ! ICE ON ! RIV]4
,HE "K B\T O!R ?+S TOO4 ,L :5 A      #BH
M>E GONNA FOAL OR :O GONNA %OOT ! F/
TURKEY4 ,TAILOR CANT T\* ,JIM N[4
  ,WE GOTS W9T] ?+S 6D4 ,WE M5DS \R
CLO!S & TURNS OV] \R G>D5S4 ,U WOM5S &
GIRLS GA!RS 6SEW QUILTS :ILE ! M5S BUT*]
! HOGS4
  ,JIM A9T ) U M* ^! "DS4 ,"Y ,MISS
,WATSON WANT HM ) H] ALL ! "T4 ,HE MY
,JIM %E TELL "EYBODY4 ,HE MY NI7]4 ,E "D
%E WANT 6"K :O %E GONNA M>RY4 ,A9T NO
BI7] ?AN ,JIM & %E ASK+ :O %E GONNA M>-
RY4 ,?ATS ALL %E GOT 6LOOK =W>D TO4 ,I
TELLS ,JIM 6KEEP 8 M\? %UT4 ,HE MI<T C
TELL ! W1!R & :AT ! PLANTS & ANIMALS
GONNA D4 ,HE MI<T EV5 "K "S?+ B\T U
SLAVES4 ,B HE A9T "K NO?+ B\T :ITE FOLKS
& !Y DO+S4
  ,JIM ALL FULL ) HISSELF & HE A9T LI/5+
6ME4 ,HE TELL ,MISS ,WATSON %E A9T GONNA
N"E M>RY NOBODY4 ,%E SCR1M ,DA4Y :IP ?
NI7] CAUSE ? NI7] D"O CURSE ME4 ,B ,MAS
,WATSON J LAU<4 ,HE SAY ?ATS H[ X GONNA
2 S9CE %E GOT 6TAKE C>E ( HM 9 8 OLD
AGE4 ,%E A9T NE$ 6M>RY4 ,HE GIVE H] ,JIM
=A PRES5T4                           #BI
  ,I A9T "KS :Y %E WANT ,JIM & N A GIRL
6WAIT ON H]4 ,%E KEEP HM BUSY TAK+ C>E (
H] HORSE4 ,HE "W H] G>D5 & TOTE H] WAT]4
,HE SLEEP ": ! HORSES SLEEP4 ,I A9T SEES
HM M*4 ,& :5 WE SEES EA* O!R WE A9T SAYS
A ^W4 ,! WOODS ! ONLY PLACE 6TALK4
  ,! ,WATSONS ,BAPTI/S S WE ,BAPTI/S4
,!Y R1D ! ,BI#4 ,MAS -E R1D ! ,T5 ,-M&-
;TS 6U F "T 6"T4 ,HE TELL U 6OBEY4
  ,WE GOTS A SLAVE PR1*] "N ( ,/[E4 ,HE
A OLD MAN TOO OLD = "W4 ,HE TALK GD B\T
,MOSES & !M ,ISRAELITES S ,MAS ,WATSON L
HM4 ,WE GOTS ,SUN"D S]VICE 9 ! SMOKEH\SE
:5 ! TOBA3O A9T DRY+4 ,H>VE/ "T ,MAS
,WATSON DONT SAY NO?+ B\T ,JESUS4 ,WE
A9T GOT S\LS :5 ! TOBA3O CUR+4
  ,:ITES ALW TELL+ U DONT /1L DONT LIE
DONT *1T4 ,& "H !Y -E /1L+ U & LY+ 6U &
*1T+ U \ \R FREEDOM4 ,!Y B1T U )! ^W J Z
SURE Z !Y B1T U )! :IP4
  ,ON ,SATUR"DS :5 ,MAS MEETS )! ,BAP-
TI/S 9 ,BE> ,CREEK WE MEETS 9 ! WOODS &
D.E ! OLD RELIGION4 ,WE /AYS TILL ,SUN"D
MORN+4 ,MAS =BID ! DRUM S WE CLAPS \R
H&S 6CAT* ! _SS4 ,FOLKS FALL+ \ &    #CJ
SEE+ ALL MANN] ( GODS4 ,MAMA LOVE !M
GA!R+S B ,I SC>$ :5 ,I / A GIRL4 ,A9T
WANTS 6L1VE MY BODY4 ,N[ ?ATS ALL ,I
WANTS4 ,I LIVES =! NI<TS :5 UNSE5 ?+S C
MAKE A OLD BODY SW1T & JUMP4
  ,"E S9CE ,I LE>NS 6WALK ,I FOLL[S
,MAMA 6! WOODS & OP5 FIELDS4 ,WE GA!RS
ROOTS & L1VES & FL[]S4 ,%E TAKE MY H& &
%[ ME ! FEEL & %APE (! ?+S4 ,! HE>T L1F
( BURR SE$ & H[ ! BURRS /ICK 6YR CLO!S4
,SOAPWE$ )! :ITE BELL FL[] & L1F L A L;G
KNIFE4 ,BLOODROOT L1VES R1*+ UP L H&S4
,R$ FRUIT (! BURN+ BU% S PRETTY 9 ! SN[4
  ,LOOK ,MAMA SAY4 ,A C>D9AL 9 A R$
TREE4 ,?ATS GD LUCK ,SADIE4 ,-E & SMELL
! SASSAFRAS4
  ,I TAKES 9 "EY?+ %E D4 ,? "O =! FEV]4
,? "O =! C\<4 ,^! Y CRU% =! /OMA*4 ,? A
CURE = WORMS4
  ,TEA F ! MILKWE$ = 3SUMP;N4 ,W9T]GRE5
KEEP ! BABIES F -+4 ,SWEET SAP F ! SYCA-
MORE HELP ) DRESS+ W.DS4 ,FALL ROOT (!
BLUE IRIS = POISON4 ,BUTT]FLY WE$ =
PLEURISY4 ,FIVE F+] = ALL K9D ( ?+S4
,MAMA SAY FIVE F+] ROOTS LOOK L U    #CA
SLAVES DANC+4
  ,"O NI<T 9 ! WOODS WE DANC+ & CALL+ !
_SS :5 A GRT LI<T PASS 9 ! SKY4 ,X A9T L
! NI<T ! SKY FALL & ,JIM A9T SEEM 6"K
NO?+ B\T X4 ,MAMA SAY XS ! _SS ON FIRE4
,! _SS ( ,MAMA ,AFRICA4 ,!Y LI<T UP !
SKY S WE C SEES !M4 ,!Y WANT U 6"K !Y
-+4 ,%E SAY AF TN _M WOM5S GONNA C>RY
BABIES4 ,^! ! BABIES GONNA C>RY \R FREE-
DOM4
  ,T NI<T ,MAMA -E HOME )A FEV] & AF T
%E ALW GOT "S PA9 OR SICK;S4 ,%E A9T OLD
B H] HAIR />T 6TURN & H] VOICE B>ELY A
:ISP]4 ,%E G F 2+ /URDY L A ROOT 6S(T L
A FL[]4 ,N[ :5 WE GOES 6! WOODS ,I HOLDS
H] >M4
  ,"O "D :5 ,I A9T YET GR[N %E TAKE ME
6T[N ) H]4 ,XS MY F/ "T 9 ,HANNIBAL4
,MAS ,WATSON GOT A FR )! DROPSY & HE
WANT ,MAMA 6LAY H] H&S ON HM4 ,XS CLOSE
6W9T] & ,MAS TAKE U 9 ! BU7Y4 ,HE TALK
6,MAMA B\T 8 PRO#MS4 ,I N"E "KS ,MAS 6H
ANY PRO#MS4 ,ALL 8 PRO#MS ) U SLAVES4
,"O DIE HE GET ANO!R4 ,"O BORN HE GOT A
BIG SMILE4 ,MAMA LI/5 & SP1K H]      #CB
M9D4
  ,I CRU%ES ! SNAKEROOT 6GIVE 6,MAS FR4
,AF ,MAMA F9I% H] "W ,MAS TAKE U 0! DRY
GDS %OP4 ,HE PO9T 6A BOLT ( FABRIC &
TELL ! CL]K H[ _M Y>DS HE WANT4
  ,WE WAITS 9 ! /REET \TSIDE ! %OP4 ,I
HE>S A GIRL SCR1M+ 9 ! Y>D (! H\SE NEXT
6! %OP4 ,%E B\T MY AGE4 ,%E CRY CAUSE H]
MAS B1T+ H] )A /ICK4 ,DONT LOOK ,MAMA
SAY4 ,%E TAKE MY H& & PULL ME 6": ,I
CANT SEES4 ,MAS ,WATSON -E \ ! %OP C>RY+
"S SE$ &! FABRIC & "S OIL =! LAMPS4
,LAT] HE GIVE ,MAMA ! FABRIC 6SEW U "S
CLO!S4
  ,ON ! WAY BACK 6,CLE> ,CREEK ,MAMA
TELL ME ! GIRL ,I SE5 B1T 0 \R ,J5NY4
,MY SI/] ,MAS TAKE 9 ! WAGON4 ,WE BO?
CRIES A LL B WE WIPES \R EYES =E ,MAS C
SEE U4 ,%E 8 ,J5NY TOO4 ,B HE A9T CRY+
OV] H]4
  ,LA/ ,I REMEMB]S ( MY MAMA WE WALK+ 9
! WOODS4 ,WE GOES "O ,SUN"D E>LY MORN+4
,NO BELL R++ ,SUN"D MORN+4 ,WE SETS \ 9
! D>K :ILE O!R FOLKS SLEEP+4 ,LOTS (
SICK;S !N4 ,Y C HE> FOLKS C\<+ &     #CC
MOAN+ 9 !Y SLEEP4 ,WE A9T -ES BACK 6EAT4
,WE EATS :AT WE F9DS4
  ,Y ALL ! WAY REMEMB] ,SADIE4 ,POISON
L1F & ROOT = KILL+4 ,DONT USE X LESS Y
GOT TO4
  ,ALL "D WE SP5DS TGR 9 ! WOODS4 ,WE
A9T GOES BACK TILL AF D>K4 ,?ATS ! ONLY
"D ,I "E SP5DS ) J MY MAMA4 ,NEXT ,SUN"D
%E G"O4
  ,MAL>IA C>RY H] (F4 ,X -E "? & TAKE S
_M (! P4 ,MAMA TRY 6CURE H]F ) BLACK
SNAKEROOT & OIL F HEMP SE$S4 ,I GETS "S
B>K F ! BURN+ BU% & BOILS X D[N = H]4 ,I
GA!RS "S BLACKB]RY ROOTS & L1VES4 ,%E
DR9K TOBA3O WAT]4 ,%E ALL ! WAY SAY TO-
BA3O L1F GD = "EY?+4 ,DRESS+ W.DS4
,SOO?+ TIR$ EYES4 ,FRO/BITE4 ,=E %E DIE
%E SAY %E C SMELL H] DA4YS PIPE AG4 ,X
WAKE H] 9 ! NI<T & %E ?9K HE -E 6TAKE H]
HOME4 ,AF %E DIE WE COV]S H] BODY )! TO-
BA3O L1F4 ,X KEEP ! SMELL AWAY4
  ,TAILOR MAKE ! BOX = H]4 ,HE D>N H]
CLO!S4 ,HM & ,MAMA "KN EA* O!R F "Y "DS4
,!Y -E WE/ TGR ) ,MAS4
  ,WE PUTS H] 9 ! GRAVEY>D4 ,)       #CD
/"OS WE M>KS ! PLACE4 ,WE LAYS ! /"OS 9
A CROSS &A CIRCLE4 ,:ITE FOLKS GOT BIG
M>K]S /&+ ) LRS C>VE 0SLAVES4 ,/"OCUTT]S
A9T SPOSE 6R1D ! LRS J C>VE !M4 ,MAS
,WATSON LET U PUT /"OS ON ,MAMAS GRAVE B
%E A9T GOT NO "N4
  ,CORA S+ ! M\RN+ S;G & WE ALL CRIES !
S;G TILL X DIE AWAY4 ,!N WE GOES BACK TO
"W4

  ,MY MAMA "N ,LIZA4 ,%E NO?+ B A GIRL
:5 ,MAS ,WATSON TAKE H] F ,VIRG9IA TO
,MISS\RI4 ,%E SAY %E BORN ! YE> ,JE6]SON
BUY ,L\ISIANA4 ,?ATS A UNLUCKY YE> =
COLOR$ FOLKS CAUSE ?ATS ! SAME YE> :ITE
FOLKS />T TALK+ B\T GO+ 6! T]RITORIES4
  ,!Y L1VE "R AF ! H>VE/4 ,MAS DA4Y SAY
X TOO LATE 9 ! YE> & ,MAS NE$ 6WAIT TILL
! SPR+4 ,B HE DONT LI/5 6HIS DA4Y4 ,HE
?9K HE GR[N & GOT 8 [N M9D4 ,S !Y />T \
E>LY "O MORN+ SOON Z ! SUN -E UP4 ,MAMA
WE>+ A OLD COAT GIVE H] 0,MAS MAMA4
  ,MAMAS FAMILY MAD B\T ,MAS /1L+ !Y
,LIZA4 ,H] MAMA CRY & BEG HM N 6TAKE H]
ONLY GIRL4 ,%E BR+ ! ,3GO B[L &      #CE
GIVE X 6H] DAU<T]4 ,TELL H] ? B[L KEEP
H] SAFE4
  ,3GO CROSS -E OV] )! ,AFRICA P4 ,CIR-
CLE R.D X LOOK L ! E>?4 ,CROSS 9 ! MI4LE
) >MS /RET*+ \ L A :EEL4 ,SP9N+ TILL X
-E HOME4
  ,C5T] (! CROSS ": ! _S T\* D[N4 ,Y PUT
:AT"E Y WANT = H1L+ "R ON T SPOT4 ,!N Y
P.D X TILL X TAKE 9 ! P[] (! B[L4 ,MAMA
KEEP X ) H] ALL H] "DS4
  ,!Y WALK CROSS ! M.TA9S F ,LYN*BURG4
,MAS ,WATSONS DA4Y GIVE HM ,CORA TOO4
,%E "Y B /R;G L ! M5S4 ,%E *OP WOOD &
PU% A PL[4 ,SKILLET HAM FL\R L>D TOOLS
SALT ROPE BACON SQUA%4 ,%E TOTE X ALL
OV] ! M.TA9S4 ,CORA C "W & C>RY TWO BA-
BIES AT ! SAME "T4 ,BO? H] TW9 BABIES
DIE =E %E L1VE ,VIRG9IA4 ,MAMA H] DAU<T]
N[4
  ,MAMA SAY %E S TIR$ %E CRY :5 !Y GET
6,*>LE/ON4 ,%E TALL B %E SK9NY & N TOO
/R;G4 ,ALL T WAY OV] ! M.TA9S %E C>RY A
CASK ( TOBA3O 9 A %EET TIE 6H] BACK4 ,ON
H] H1D %E C>RY A KETTLE ) J>S (
BLACKB]RY JAM WRAP 9 CALICO4 ,3GO    #CF
B[L %E TIE 9 A RAG WRAP R.D H] H&4
,9SIDE ! B[L %E GOT BLACKB]RY ROOT &
COLUMB9E SE$S4 ,9 H] POCKET %E HIDE !
KNIFE %E /OLE4 ,FEET S SORE F TOT+ ALL
!M ?+S4 ,LOAD = GR[N WOM5S & %E A9T EV5
HALF GR[N4 ,:5 !Y GET 6,*>LE/ON ,CORA
RUB H] FEET ) G>LIC4
  ,9 ,*>LE/ON ,MAS PUR*ASE SIX SLAVES4
,"Y M5S ALL ( !M4 ,MAS ,WATSON "Y HIS-
SELF4 ,HE PUR*ASE HM A OX C>T4 ,MAMA
GLAD 6LOAD UP ! C>T & N H 6C>RY NO?+ B
H] B[L4 ,MAMA & ,CORA SIT 9 ! C>T TOP
ALL ,MAS ?+S4 ,MAS SIT 9 FRONT ) 8 GUN4
,TWO ! "Y M5S WALK L;GSIDE ! OX4 ,O!R
F\R FOLL[ 2H ! C>T4
  ,0! "T !Y GET 6,L\ISVILLE !Y H&S BURN+
F ! COLD4 ,MAS ,WATSON GOT A BRO!R "! &
?ATS ": HE PLAN 6SETTLE4 ,B ,MAS &!
BRO!R >GUE4 ,MAS WANT 6SELL HM ! OX C>T
B 8 BRO!R DONT WANT X4 ,HE A9T GONNA PAY
,MAS =! "Y M5S EI4 ,MAS CALL 8 BRO!R A
?IEF4 ,"O ( !M "Y M5S TRY 6RUN (F4 ,MAS
BRO!R SET ! DOGS ON HM4 ,!Y L1VE ,L\IS-
VILLE ! NEXT MORN+4
  ,MAS "K A ,VIRG9IAN 9 ,CAPE        #CG
,GIR>D1U4 ,S HE TRADE ! OX C>T =A FLAT-
BOAT & !Y />T D[N ! ,OHIO4 ,HE GOT !M
NI7]S *A9 TGR CEPT :5 !Y POLE ! BOAT4
,EV5 !N !Y GOT *A9S ON !Y FEET4
  ,W9D ON ! RIV] COLD & %>P4 ,MAS ,WAT-
SON WE>+ GLOVES &A HAT ( FOX FUR4 ,CORA
& ,MAMA BO? WRAP 9SIDE ,MAMAS NEW OLD
COAT4 ,!Y WAIT+ 6GET "SPLACE !Y C BUILD
A FIRE4 ,:5 !Y -E ^U ,CAIRO ,MAMA SAY %E
N"E S HAPPY 6SEE A DIRTY RIV] T[N4
  ,MAS DONT WANT 6/AY L;G 9 ,CAIRO4
,MAMA SAY HE SC>$ HE GONNA LOSE 8
SLAVES4 ,"SBODY MI<T PUT A GUN ON HM &
SNAT* !M4 ,B ,CORA SAY !Y CANT WALK NO
M4 ,"O (! M5 FALL D[N4 ,!Y CANT DRAG !
BODY ) !M4 ,MAS GOT 6UN*A9 !M S !Y C
RE/4 ,B ,MAS TOO TIR$ 6HOLD 8 GUN ON !M4
,S HE PAY A BOY 6F9D HM A PLACE 6LOCK 8
NI7]S UP =! NI<T4 ,! BOY TAKE T CO9 &
DONT -E BACK4
  ,MAS M>* !M D1D TIR$ SLAVES OV] 6!
/REET 2L ! DOCK4 ,GOT "S M5 OV] "! WAT*+
TWO DOGS FI<T4 ,!Y BETT+ :O GONNA W94
,MAMA SAY "O A BIG DOG ) DIRTY BR[N
HAIR4 ,! O!R "O SMALL] & COAL        #CH
BLACK4 ,BLACK DOG P9 ! O!R "O D[N & G =
8 ?ROAT4 ,%E S SC>$ WAT*+ !M DOGS FI<T
%E SOIL H] DRESS4
  ,MAS PAY ! [N] (! BLACK DOG 6M9D 8
NI7]S :ILE HE G 6SLEEP4 ,=E HE LAY D[N
!Y SEP>ATE ! M5S F EA* O!R4 ,EA* "O TI$
UP 6A PO/ "U ! DOCK4 ,!Y GOT 6SLEEP /&+
UP4 ,CORA & ,MAMA LAY D[N 9 A CRATE NE>
! BLACK DOG4 ,ALL NI<T L;G T DOG RUN AT
! CRATE :ILE 8 [N] LAU<4 ,HM & 8 FRS BET
ON :O T DOG GONNA EAT = BR1KFA/4 ,MAMA
SAY ?ATS ALL %E REMEMB] ( ,CAIRO4 ,A
DOGS BLOODY BR1? & TEE?4
  ,NEXT MORN+ !Y SET \ F ,CAIRO 9 ! D>K4
,!Y WALK+ L;G ! BANKS :5 ! E>? />T 6?"U
& "EYBODY FALL4 ,GR.D BUCK L A WILD
HORSE & ?R[ !M (F XS BACK4 ,NOISE S L\D
,MAMA SAY %E "K ! _W B\T 65D4 ,DE] SLID+
(F ! BLUFF4 ,BLUFF FALL+ 9 ! RIV]4 ,RIV]
RIS+ UP & SNAT*+ TREES4 ,BIRDS & PIGS
SCR1M+ 9 FE>4
  ,MAMA PRAY4 ,KETTLE G ROLL+ D[N ! RIV-
]BANK4 ,B[L G FLY+ \ H] H&4 ,CORA GRAB
H] HAIR & SAY !Y GO+ HOME N[ SURE4 ,%E
SAY X 9 !Y LANGUAGE4 ,RIV] GODS      #CI
RIS+ UP 6C>RY U (F4 ,WE _SS N[4 ,L ! P
C>RY (F F ,3GO4 ,N"E SE5 NO M TILL WE -E
BACK 9 \R GR&*N4
  ,!N !Y HE> ! "Y M5S %\T+4 ,!Y SLID+
D[N ! BANKS 6! RIV]4 ,IF "O G A9T NO?+ !
O!RS C D B TUM# D[N 2H HM4 ,!Y ALL *A9
TGR4 ,MUD GONNA SWALL[ !M UP E "O4 ,MAMA
FEEL SORRY = !M "Y M5S4 ,!Y YELL+ &
WAIL+4 ,B "O ( !M CAT* ONTO ! ROOT (A
HANG+ TREE & !Y SCRAM# BACK UP ! BANK4
  ,MAMA SAY %E N"E SE5 NO :ITE S SC>$ Z
,MAS ,WATSON ! "D ! E>? TREM#4 ,HE SC>$
HE GONNA LOSE ALL 8 M"OY4 ,ALL 8 M"OY 9
SLAVES4 ,B HE A9T LOSS A "O4 ,!M "Y M5S
"W = HM ALL !Y "DS TILL "O 0"O !Y DIE F
! 3SUMP;N4 ,T ,MISSISSIPPI MUD -E UP &
*OKE !M "O 0"O4 ,ONLY ,TAILOR SURVIVE
PA/ 8 "Y "DS4 ,& HE A MAN H>D L /"O4
  ,I A9T N"E FEELS NO LOVE =! RIV]4
,RIV] /RET*+ TWE5 ME & MY FREEDOM4 ,JIM
SAY ! RIV] ! ROAD 6FREEDOM4 ,I SAYS !
RIV] ! HOME (! _SS4 ,MU4Y ) ALL !M BOD-
IES TRY+ 6CROSS OV]4
  ,:5 ! %AK+ &! ROLL+ /OP ,MAMA SEE !Y
ALL / "!4 ,%E PICK UP H] B[L & TIE   #DJ
X 6H] H1D4 ,X TAKE !M M ?AN A WEEK 6MAKE
!Y WAY 6,CAPE ,GIR>D1U4 ,MO/ ! "T !Y
WALK+ 9 MUD4 ,!Y TRY 6/AY AWAY F ! WET
S&4 ,GOT 6/EP OV] TREES ALL TANGLE TGR4
,"S"TS !Y WALK ON ! TREES4 ,FOG HANG+
OV] !M & P W&]+ R.D 9 A DAZE4
  ,!Y PASS CLOSE 6A ,%AWNEE VILLAGE RU9
0! QUAKE4 ,9DIAN WOM5S S++ A M\RN+ S;G4
,CORA SAY X PUT 6M9D A ,AFRICAN S;G H]
GR&MAMA S+ :5 %E A *4 ,ALL ! WAY 6,CAPE
,GIR>D1U %E S+ T M\RN+ S;G4 ,WE S+S X AG
:5 ,MAMA DIE4
  ,AF ,MAMA DIE ,MAS CALL ON ME 6T5D !
SICK4 ,BABIES BURN+ ) E K9D ( FEV]4 ,M5S
LAY+ 9 !Y WA/E4 ,WOM5S W1K & H1VY ) :AT
B\T 6BE BORN4 ,!Y "W "R UP TILL !Y "T
-E4 ,MAS DONT ABIDE NO WOM5S SICK;S4
,"OS A9T DY+ GOT 6"W4 ,I "WS ! FIELDS
CEPT :5 !Y NE$ ME 9 ! CAB9S4 ,I GETS
SICK B ,I -ES "?4
  ,T "T WE LOSS S _M4 ,NOBODY "K :AT -E
OV] U4 ,*N LOSS !Y P>5TS & P>5TS LOSS !Y
*N4 ,B\T TW5TY ( U =E ! SC\RGE4 ,"T ALL
! DY+ D"O WE ONLY TWELVE4 ,MAS ,WATSON
CUSS ALL UP & D[N ! F>M4 ,MISS       #DA
,WATSON G 6T[N ) H] MAMA & BIG SI/]4
  ,ALL U / /&+ "WS TILL WE COV]$ 9 TO-
BA3O SYRUP4 ,SOON Z ,MISS ,WATSON G"O
,MAS PUT ,JIM BACK 9 ! FIELDS4 ,HE BI7]
0!N & 8 F+]S A9T S SL[4 ,X BR+ ME -=T TO
SEE HM4 ,SAY HE DR1M B\T _SS L1V+ !Y
BODIES B ,MAS ,WATSON DONT LET HM TELL
NOBODY4 ,SAY 9 8 DR1M ,I /UM#S B GETS UP
AG4 ,HE GIVE ME A /R+ 6WE> R.D MY ANKLE4
,GONNA TIE ME 6! E>?4 ,HE / MY BRO!R4
  ,I MAKES A FR (A NEW GAL ,MAS BUY ON A
TRIP 6,/4 ,L\IS4 ,WE "WS SIDE 0SIDE E
"D4 ,T GAL GOT A GD HE>T4 ,I N"E "KS AN-
O!R L H]4 ,%E ! K9D ( FR SEE Y )A WA/+
ILL;S & GIVE Y H] ONLY PIECE ( FATBACK4
,%E CRY ) ME B\T MY MAMA4 ,H] [N MAMA
DIE :5 %E BORN4 ,HOLD ME CLOSE 6H] L %E
MY NEW MAMA4 ,I N"E =GETS T GAL4 ,%E "N
,GW54
  ,WE TGR =! LA/ ( \R *ILDHOOD4 ,I A9T
SE5 H] L1VE4 ,MAS SELL H] 6PAY A DEBT :5
! TOBA3O FREEZE4 ,SELL H] 6,JUDGE ,DUR-
MAN4 ,M1NE/ MAS 9 ! C.TY4 ,GW5 R1L PRET-
TY4 ,?ATS :Y HE WANT H]4 ,OLD ,MISS ! "O
MAKE ,MAS SELL H]4                   #DB
  ,AF ,MAS SELL ,GW5 ,I W1K ) SORR[4
,MAMA G"O & ,I FEELS ALL L"O 9 ! _W4
,EMMA S+ B ,I CANT FOLL[S4
  ,JIM (F "W+ ON ,/"O ,S*OOL4 ,HE "W !
QU>RY4 ,PICK & %OVEL GIVE HM BLI/]S4
,BLE$+ H&S4 ,H1T L A FURNACE4 ,RIV]
ROCK4 ,WALLS ( HUGE LIME/"O BLOCKS4
,NI7]S CANT G 6S*OOL B WE HELPS BUILD
S*OOLS =! :ITE *N4
  ,9 ,HANNIBAL ,I SE5 !M :ITE *N RUNN+
B>EFOOT4 ,!Y GOT %OES = *UR* & S*OOL4
,"D ,I GETS %OES ,I GONNA WE> !M ALL !
"T4
  ,I KEEPS ,MAMAS KNIFE CLOSE 9 MY POCK-
ET4 ,& ,I HIDES ! ,3GO B[L 9 ,CORAS CAB9
": ,I SLEEPS4 ,MAS GIVE ,MAMAS CAB9 6"S
M5S HE HIRE 6GET ! CROP IN4 ,I WORRIES
,MAMAS _S GONNA -E LOOK+ = ME & WONT "K
": 6F9D ME4
  ,I ! LA/ ( MY FAMILY ON ,MAS ,WATSONS
PLACE4 ,MAMA ! F/ & ,I ! LA/4 ,I REMEM-
B]S H[ %E USE 6BEG ,MAS = ^W ( H] PEO-
PLES 9 ,VIRG9IA4 ,E YE> !YS LESS & LESS
TILL XS ONLY U 9 ,MISS\RI4 ,N[ ONLY ME4
,AF ,MAMA L1VE ,I A9T SLEEPS =A      #DC
YE>4 ,I "WS ALL "D & CRIES ALL NI<T4
  ,"O "D ,MAS ,WATSON TAKE ME 6T[N CAUSE
HE GOT A FR BE5 )! POX4 ,%E :ITE Z C 2 B
POX A9T "K NO COLOR4 ,MAS TELL ME 6MAKE
A P\LTICE 6SC>E ! M>KS AWAY4 ,I GA!RS !
BURR SE$ ROOT & CRU%ES X ) "S SALT &
L1F4 ,I MAKES A PA/E ) CORNM1L & WRAPS X
9 A *EESECLO?4 ,MY H&S %AKE :5 ,I PUTS !
PA/E ON H] *EEKS4 ,I SC>$ IF ,I MAKES A
MISTAKE !Y GONNA TAKE ME \ & B1T ME4 ,OR
SELL ME D[N ! RIV]4 ,I SC>$ IF ,MAS
,WATSONS FR DIE HE GONNA SAY ,I ! "O D"O
KILL H]4
  ,JIM -E L;G 9 ! WAGON4 ,HE SEE H[ SC>$
,I LOOKS & TRY 6GET ME LAU<+4 ,TELL ME
HE SE5 A R1L GD LIFE = ME ) LOTS ( LOV+
9 X4 ,T MAKE ME LAU< GD4 ,F/ "T ,JIM
RE,Y D "S?+ = ME4 ,=E XS ALL ! WAY ME
DO+ = HM4 ,B 8 VOICE GETT+ DEEP] & 8
%\LD]S ?ICK]4 ,HE GETT+ AWAY F 8 BOY-
HOOD4
  ,MAS ,WATSON M/ ( SE5 X TOO CAUSE HE
HIRE ,JIM \ 6"W ! LEVEE4 ,JIM "W UNLOAD+
/1M]S4 ,WE A9T SEES EA* O!R M* AF T4
,MAS ,WATSONS FR GET BETT] & WE      #DD
GOES BACK 6! F>M4 ,JIM /AY ON ! WAT]-
FRONT4 ,?ATS :5 MY TR\#S />T4
  ,MAS ,WATSON TELL ,OLD ,MISS :AT A GD
JOB ,I D"O LAY+ ON ! L1VES4 ,%E SAY IF
,SADIE T GD S5D H] 6,MAS ,/EV5S PLACE &
SEE IF %E CANT "W A CURE ON HM4 ,!Y BO?
LAU< :5 %E SAY T B ,I %AK+ ALL OV]4
  ,I ONLY SE5 ,MAS ,/EV5S ONCE & HE A9T
SE5 ME4 ,HE J -E 6,CLE> ,CREEK :5 ,MAS
SAY HE A9T RE,Y A F>M]4 ,SAY HE KILL 8
HORSES "W+ !M TOO H>D4 ,A WAGON PASS )
TWO L;G L9ES ( NI7]S WALK+ HALF D1D 2H
X4 ,MAS ,/EV5S GOT A OV]SE] "N ( ,BANES4
,HE A POOR :ITE F T[N US$ 6DRIV+ "W]S AT
! TOBA3O FACTORY4 ,HE LOSS 8 JOB :5 HE
HIT A "W] )A PIECE ( IRON ORE4 ,KILL HM
ON ! SPOT4 ,MAN HE KILL "N ( ,YORK4
,YORK 2L;G 6,JUDGE ,DURMAN4 ,JUDGE SAY
,BANES [E HM ,YORKS PRICE4 ,SAY NOBODY
GONNA KILL 8 SLAVE B HM4
  ,WE "W+ ! FIELDS 0! TOBA3O ROAD :5 !Y
PASS4 ,TAILOR TELL U N 6LOOK4 ,WE LOOKS
ANYH[4 ,!Y MAKE =A SORR[;L SI<T4 ,EMMA
*ANGE :AT WE S++ F "W S;G 6M\RN+ S;G4
,%E USE A V]SE B\T ,BABYLON T        #DE
,PR1*] ,/[E D"O GIVE U4 ,T WAY WE LETS
!M "K WE SEES !M4
  ,AF !Y PASS ANO!R WAGON -E BY4 ,? "O
GOT ,MAS ,/EV5S DRIV+ X4 ,HE :ITE ) R$
EYES4 ,HE :IPP+ ! HORSES4 ,CEPT !Y A9T
HORSES !Y P4 ,NI7]S TOO B1T 6CRY4 ,WE
CRIES = !M4
  ,EMMA RUN =! ROAD4 ,TAILOR G AF H]4
,NOBODY "K :AT %E FIX+ 6D4 ,TAILOR GRAB
H] >M & PULL H] BACK B HE A9T HIT H]4
,%E FALL 6! GR.D & HE L1VE H] "!4 ,YELL
AT U 6KEEP "W+4 ,Y A9T N"E SE5 NO NI7]
GET B1T HE SAY4 ,HE %AK+ :5 HE SAY X4 ,F
T "D ON ,I FE>S ,MAS ,/EV5S4
  ,M & M ,MAS ,WATSON S5D ME 6"W CURES =
! :ITES4 ,T WAY HE MAKE M M"OY (F ME4
,:5 :ITE DOCTOR SAY "! A9T NO?+ HE C D
:ITE FOLKS S5D = ,SADIE4 ,!Y FIGURE ,I
CANT MAKES !M NO WORSE4 ,!Y CUSS+ ME ALL
! :ILE ,I TRIES 6MAKE !M BETT]4 ,Y /UPID
GIRL4 ,Y DO+ X WR;G4 ,DONT GIVE ME N"O (
T NI7] TONIC4 ,I "\ 6LE>N Y "S MANN]S4
  ,I SC>$ ALL ! "T4 ,I P.DS SE$S & ROOTS
& L1VES L MY MAMA LE>N ME4 ,"S"T X "W4
,"S"T NO4                            #DF
  ,!M "TS ,I WAITS 6SEE IF !Y GONNA TAKE
ME 6JAIL4 ,SAY+ ,I D"O POISON !M4
  ,I A9T GOTS NO M9D 6POISON NO :ITE4 ,I
A9T WANTS T TR\#4 ,ONLY NI7]S TALK+ B\T
KILL+ "OS G"O MAD F SORR[4 ,MO/ ( U
WANTS 6SEE :ITE FOLKS HAPPY & ,I A9T NO
DI6]5T4 ,:5 !Y HAPPY !Y LET U BE4 ,:5 !Y
A9T !N NOBODY SU6] L WE DOES4 ,!Y F9D E
WAY 6L1D U 6GRIEF4 ,S ,I TRIES MY BE/ TO
KEEP !M P1CEA#4 ,B MO/ ! "T X A9T 9 MY
P[]4
  ,! O!R NI7]S WANT 6"K :Y ,I A9T 9 !
FIELDS4 ,:Y %E GET 6G 6T[N4 ,%E ?9K %E
"S?+ !Y SAY4 ,SP5D+ H] "T ) :ITE FOLKS4
,SOON %E GONNA TURN :ITE & ?9K WE H]
SLAVES4
  ,:5 ,I "WS ! FIELDS A9T NOBODY 0MY
SIDE4 ,TAILOR H>D ON ME CAUSE ,I SP5D+
"T 9DOORS & HE \TSIDE ="E4 ,HE TAKE E
*.E 6KICK & B1T ME4 ,NOBODY SEEM 6M9D4
,I A9T GOTS NO MAMA4 ,I A9T GOTS NO
,GW54 ,CORA AT ! CAB9S )! *N4 ,JIM ON !
WAT]FRONT4 ,ONLY ,EMMA "! & %E CANT PAY
ME NO M9D OR ! O!RS GIVE H] TR\#4
  ,I GR[N B ,I A9T FEELS GR[N4 ,I    #DG
FEELS LOSS ) NOBODY 6LOVE ON ME4 ,PRETTY
SOON ,I LOOKS =! :ITE FOLKS 6CALL4 ,I
LOOKS = !M 6CALL ME F ! FIELDS 6T5D !Y
NE> D1D4 ,I LOOKS = !M 6TAKE ME 96!Y
H\SES & FE$ ME 9 !Y KIT*5S4
  ,I A9T BE5 9SIDE M* =E !N4 ,I ONLY SE5
! 9SIDE ( ,MAS ,WATSONS H\SE ONCE4 ,HE
CALL ME 9 F ! FIELDS 6T5D 6,OLD ,MISS4
,%E GOT T *ILL 9 H] BODY B ME ,I A9T N"E
FEELS S W>M4 ,NO SMOKE BURN+ MY EYES L 9
! CAB9S4 ,I BR1!S R1L GD 9 T H\SE4 ,!Y
GOT LI<T F ! W9D[S4 ,N J P9*ES ( SUN -+
"? ! *9KS4
  ,! "D ,MAS ,WATSON CALL ME 6G 6,MAS
,/EV5S MY HE>T B1T L[ 9 MY *E/4 ,HE SAY
,MAS ,/EV5S CUT HISSELF4 ,:ITE DOCTOR
CANT GET "! 9 "T4
  ,I TAKES "S WILD G]ANIUM ROOT & "S
L1VES F ! BURR SE$4 ,MY FEET CRACK$ F !
COLD B ,I HURRIES ON D[N ! ROAD ) ,MAS
,/EV5S GAL4 ,I BR+S MY KNIFE ) ME4 ,& MY
B[L4
  ,WE GETS 6! H\SE & ALL ! SLAVES L9$ UP
L "SBODY D1D4 ,MAS ,/EV5S GAL %[ ME !
B$ROOM DOOR !N %E RUN FA/ D[N !M     #DH
/AIRS L %E SE5 A <O/4
  ,MAS ,/EV5S LAY+ UP 9 B$ ) 8 R$ EYES
ALL GLASSY ) FEV]4 ,HE GOT A WET CLO? ON
8 =EH1D & 8 FACE ALL SW1TY4 ,:5 ,I -ES 9
! ROOM HE TURN 8 H1D 6SEE :O ,I BE4 ,HE
TAP 8 CANE ON ! FLOOR = ME 6MOVE CLOS]4
  ,I SEES ! BLOOD !N4 ,HE GOT 8 %IRT
/UFF 9SIDE A W.D 9 8 /OMA*4 ,KNIFE W.D
:AT X LOOK L 6ME4 ,BLOOD GO+ PURPLE4 ,L
LOOK+ AT A S[ CUT OP5 = BR1*4 ,ROOM
SMELL L A /A#4 ,L NOBODY D"O EMPTY !
SLOP4
  ,HE CALL ME 6HM4 ,:5 ,I L1NS OV] 6HE>
:AT HE GONNA SAY HE SPIT 9 MY E>4 ,TO-
BA3O JUICE4 ,I FEELS 8 NA/I;S RUNN+ D[N
MY NECK B ,I A9T D>ES T\* X4 ,J LETS X
RUN ONTO MY %\LD]4 ,I HOLDS 8 EYES /1DY
S HE CANT TRY NO?+ ELSE4
  ,:ATS WR;G NI7]4 ,Y A9T N"E SE5 NO
CUT4
  ,HE GOT A BOTTLE ( :ISKEY NEXT 6HIS B$
&A OLD SLAVE WOMAN SITT+ 2H X4
  ,MAS ,/EV5S WANT Y 6PUT "S L1F ON HM
%E SAY4 ,HELP HM BR1! BETT]4
  ,%E LOOK D[N ! :OLE "T %E TALK+    #DI
6ME4 ,LOOK L %E MADE \ ( PAP] %E S ?94
,BURNT TOBA3O B\T 6FLY AWAY4 ,:5 %E F9I%
TALK+ %E LOOK UP & ,I SEES "O EYE HALF
CLOSE &! O!R "O LOOSE4 ,%E SEE ME LOOK+
AT H] EYE & TURN AWAY4
  ,HE NE$ A P\LTICE = 8 /OMA* ,I SAYS4
,GIVE ? ROOT 6! COOK4 ,TELL H] P.D X =A
P[D] & S5D X BACK )A PA/E ( MILK & EGG &
FL\R4 ,TAKE ^! L1VES & WILT !M 0! FIRE4
,& ,I GONNA NE$ "S SOAP & HOT WAT] &
D&ELION JUICE4 ,/ACK ( CL1N L95S TOO4
  ,%E 4APPE>4 ,SOON %E -E BACK )! JUICE4
  ,I TAKES "S M9T F MY POCKET4 ,MAS ,/E-
V5S EYES CLOSE & HE BR1?+ H>D4 ,I PUTS !
M9T ON 8 *E/ & BACKS AWAY AG4
  ,!N ,I HE>S 8 VOICE4 ,DONT BR+ YR
DIRTY H&S B\T ME GAL4 ,Y BE5 ROLL+ R.D 9
! DU/4
  ,I -ES 9 F ! FIELDS ,MAS4 ,I RUNS
/RAI<T "H F ! FIELDS :5 !Y TELL ME Y
HURT4
  ,HE TAP 8 CANE &! OLD WOMAN APPE> 2H
HM4 ,TAKE ? DU/Y GAL & WA% H] UP HE SAY4
  ,I CL1NS MY H&S :5 ! HOT WAT] -E ,I
TELLS H]4 ,Y G & SEE IF X R1DY4      #EJ
  ,%E HURRY AWAY4 ,MAS RAISE 8 CANE L HE
FIX+ 6/RIKE ME4
  ,I GRABS X & TRIES 6TAKE X F HM4 ,HE
TAP X ON ! FLOOR B NOBODY -E4 ,I PEELS 8
F+]S F ! H&LE "O 0"O4 ,EA* "O BURN+ )
FEV] B 8 GRIP / H>D4 ,HE CUSS ME ": HE
LAY4 ,N"E TAKE 8 EYES (F ME4 ,HE BURN !M
R$ EYES 96ME4 ,I FEELS COLD ALL OV]4
  ,I GOES 6T\* 8 =EH1D & HE GRAB MY H&4
,PUT 8 TEE? ON X & BITE D[N H>D4 ,I A9T
D>ES SCR1M B N[ MY EYES ON FIRE4
  ,I GRABS HOLD ! BOTTLE & ?R[S "S :IS-
KEY ON HM4 ,HE CRY \ 9 PA94 ,H[L J L HE
HUMAN B ,I "KS BETT]4 ,DEVIL GONNA H[L
IF Y GET ! BE/ ( HM4 ,I PUTS ! BOTTLE TO
8 M\? & P\RS X D[N 8 ?ROAT4
  ,:5 ! OLD WOMAN -E BACK %E F9D ME SIT-
T+ 9 H] *AIR4 ,%E SEE T "S?+ WR;G B %E
LOOK D[N4 ,%E GOT ! WAT] & "S SOAP P[D]
& PA/E4 ,%E C>RY+ ! FRE% L95 ON H] H1D4
,H] H1D SLUMP D[N4 ,I TELLS H] PUT X ALL
ON ! BUR1U4
  ,I GOTS MY H& 9 MY POCKET4 ,T\*+ MY
KNIFE4
  ,I TAKES ! WAT] & DIPS A CLO? 9    #EA
X4 ,I PRESSES X 9 MY H&S & DIPS X AG4
,:OLE "T ,MAS ,/EV5S />+ AT ME4 ,HE
LOOK+ AT 8 TEE? M>KS ON MY H&4 ,HE R1* \
& TRY 6T\* X4 ,I PULLS AWAY4 ,I CL1NS MY
W.D =E ,I CL1NS HIS4
  ,I TELLS ! OLD WOMAN 6BR+ ME "S SNAKE-
ROOT4
  ,H[ M* Y WANT4
  ,PL5TY 6FILL MY B[L ,I SAYS4
  ,%E MAKE H] WAY D[N ! /AIRS4
  ,Y A9T GONNA POISON ME Y BLACK WIT*4
,:AT Y NE$ SNAKEROOT = ,MAS ,/EV5S SAY4
  ,I MAKES Y A SALVE ) SNAKEROOT 6HELP
BR+ ! SK9 BACK TGR4
  ,I WANTS 6SEE "EY?+ Y MAK+ HE SAY4 ,I
A9T GONNA TAKE NO?+ F YR H&4
  ,:Y Y CALL = ME !N ,I SAYS4
  ,I A9T CALLS = NO SLAVE DOCTOR HE SAY4
,MAS ,WATSON S5D Y CAUSE HE A9T WANT ME
6DIE4 ,HE L HAV+ ME NEXT DOOR4 ,I WOR? M
?AN ANY OV]SE] 6HM4 ,8 SLAVES FAT & HAP-
PY NEXT 6M9E4 ,HE A9T EV5 GOT 6TELL Y
NI7]S HE GONNA SELL Y D[N RIV]4 ,ALL HE
GOT 6SAY HE GONNA SELL Y 6ME4 ,HE TRY TO
LAU< B HE J HACK4                    #EB
  ,MAS ,WATSON A GD ,*RI/IAN HE SAY4
,PRAY+ =! DEVIL4 ,?9K ! DEVIL GOT A S\L4
,:AT Y ?9K4
  ,I SAYS ,I A9T /UDY+ NO DEVIL4 ,B IF
,I "E DOES ,I SURE A9T GONNA PRAY HE
LIVE4 ,I PRAYS HE *OKE 6D1? ON 8 [N
V5OM4
  ,HE MAKE A :I/L+ S.D :5 HE LAU<4 ,Y
BETTA MAKE SURE ! ,"L HE> YR PRAY]S HE
SAY4 ,CAUSE IF T DEVIL LIVE Y A9T WANT
6BE NO": R.D4
  ,I LOOKS AWAY :5 HE SAY T4 ,I GOTS
,MAMAS KNIFE 9 MY POCKET & ,I PUTS MY
F+]S ON X4 ,T OLD WOMAN A9T -E BACK & ,I
/&S "! ?9K+ ,I 2 D"O ) HM =E %E D4 ,FIX+
6CUT HM CROSS ! T;GUE4 ,GONNA GRAB 8
NOSE ) MY H& & :5 HE OP5 8 M\? GONNA
SLA% HM R1L QK4 ,I TRIES MY BE/ 6SAVE HM
,I TELLS ANYBODY WANT 6"K4 ,I TRIES B X
TOO LATE4 ,MAS *OKE ON 8 [N BLOOD4
  ,I A9T EV5 SC>$ B\T GO+ 6JAIL4 ,I CANT
2LIEVES A S\L 9 ! :OLE ( ,M>ION ,C.TY
GONNA MISS ,MAS ,/EV5S4 ,!Y J DIVIDE UP
8 F>M L !Y D :5 "O ( !M DIE4 ,TAKE X =
SCRAPS4 ,& "EYBODY 2 BETT] (F4       #EC
  ,I GOTS ! KNIFE 9 MY H& :5 ! OLD WOMAN
-E BACK )! SNAKEROOT4 ,%E />+ AT ME L %E
SE5 A <O/4 ,Y WAT* ME ,I SAYS Z ,I TAKES
A ROOT F H] H&4 ,I CUTS ! ROOT ? WAY4
,!N ,I PUTS X 9 ! WAT]4 ,!N ,I MIXES 9
"S M9T 6COOL X (F4 ,Y WAT* :AT ,I DOES4
,/IR T R.D ) "S SYCAMORE B>K4 ,CAP FULL
( :ISKEY4 ,DROP (! PATI5TS BLOOD4
  ,%E JUMP :5 ,I CALLS ,MAS ,/EV5S MY
PATI5T4 ,L ,I ! "O RULE OV] HM4 ,J = T
MO;T ,I FEELS ,I DOES RULE OV] HM4
,CAUSE ,I ! "O T LET HM LIVE4 ,I CD (
CUT HM ) H] "!4 ,:AT %E GONNA SAY4 ,%E
LOOK AT ! FLOOR & LET ME D :AT ,I WANTS4
  ,I FEELS L "O ( !M SLAVES A9T GOT NO
BETT] S5SE ?AN 6KILL !Y MAS4 ,?ATS H[
MAD ,MAS ,/EV5S MAKE ME4 ,HE "O ( !M
:ITE FOLKS A9T GOT A S\L4 ,NO LI<T 9 8
EYES4 ,8 H\SE ALL CLOSE UP TOO4 ,ALL
/ALE & D>K4 ,I WANTS 6F9I% HM (F B HE
PUT "S?+ ON ME4 ,I C H>DLY MOVES MY H&S4
,MY F+]S A*+ & /IFF4 ,A9T "K :AT EVIL HE
PUT ON ME4
  ,I TAKES ! CLO? & SQUEEZES X \ R1L
SL[4 ,!N ,I DIPS X 9 ! WAT] & LAYS   #ED
X OV] 8 W.D4 ,I TAKES ANO!R CLO? & PUTS
X ON 8 FACE4 ,:OLE "T MY H& %AK+ ) PA94
,& HM LOOK+ UP AT ME4
  ,I WRAPS ! G]ANIUM P[D] &! WILT$ BURR
SE$ L1VES 9SIDE ! MILKY D\<4
  ,I A9T GONNA TAKE NO?+ F Y HE SAY4
  ,I J PUTS ! P\LTICE ON HM & MAKES !
SNAKEROOT TEA4 ,ALL ! :ILE ,I A9T SAYS A
^W 6HM4
  ,HE CALL ! OLD WOMAN 6GIVE HM 8 TEA4
,HE MAKE H] TA/E X F/4
  ,2 SURE HE DR9K X ALL ,I TELLS H]4 ,HE
GOT 6DR9K X ALL = X 6"W PROP]4 ,& X A9T
GONNA "W LESS Y PUT 9 A DROP ( 8 BLOOD4
  ,MAS ,/EV5S GRAB MY >M & PULL MY FACE
D[N CLOSE 6HIS4 ,? "T HE DONT SPIT B J
PUT 8 BR1? ON ME4 ,Y BLACK BIT*4 ,HE
LOOK AT ME H>D L HE SEE+ ME =! F/ "T4
,R$ EYES ALL AGL[4 ,DONT Y TELL NOBODY
:AT Y SE5 HE SAY4
  ,I TURNS 6! OLD WOMAN & LE>NS H] H[ TO
PACK ! W.D ) HEMP CLO? & DRESS X ) COT-
TON BATT+4 ,I TELLS H] 6WAT* = ANY SIGN
( GRE5 OR IF ! R$ GET ANY BI7]4 ,:5 ,I
GOES \ T ROOM ,I GOTS A *ILL RUNN+   #EE
F "O 5D ( MY BODY 6! O!R4 ,I CANT WALKS
GD4 ,!Y GOT 6C>T ME HOME 9 ! BACK (A
WAGON4
  ,CORA CANT F9D NO?+ WR;G ) ME4 ,I J
LAYS ON ! FLOOR 9 ! CAB9 TOO TIR$ 6MOVE4
,AF A "D %E TRY 6R\SE ME4 ,%E KICK ME B
,I CANT MOVES4 ,NEXT ?+ %E TRY ?R[+ COLD
WAT] ON ME4 ,I LAY+ "! 9 MY FIL?4 ,I A9T
FEELS NO?+4
  ,AT NI<T ,I HE>S FOLKS TALK+4 ,%E CURE
! :ITE !Y SAY B CANT CURE H] [NSELF4
  ,AF A FEW "DS ,MAS ,WATSON CALL 9 !
:ITE DOCTOR4 ,HE FEEL R.D "U MY DRESS &
SAY A9T NO?+ WR;G4 ,%E J A9T WANT 6"W4
,Y NE$ 6GIVE H] ! HICKORY CURE HE SAY4
,0T HE M1N ! SWIT*4 ,!Y C SWIT* ME ALL
!Y WANT B ,I A9T GONNA FEEL X4 ,:5 ,MAS
,/EV5S LOOK AT ME ,I "KS MYF A D1D ?+4
,A9T NO USE 9 ME GETT+ UP NO M4 ,I FE>S
=! *N ,I A9T YET BIR?4
  ,I ONLY GETS UP 6HELP ,EMMA ) H] BA-
BIES4 ,I GOES 6": ,CORA SIT ) ,EMMAS H1D
9 H] LAP4 ,EMMA LAY+ ON ! FLOOR ) H]
WAT] ALL BROKE4 ,I SEES ! BABIES FEET4
,F/ "O !N ! O!R4 ,I TUGS ON !M4      #EF
,!Y D1D ^? BABIES BO? ( !M4 ,ALL BLUE4
,EMMA WAIL L !YS NO TM B ,I WOND]S :Y %E
CRY+4 ,MAS ,WATSON SORE B\T X TOO4 ,I
GLAD = !M4
  ,AF T ,I />TS 6*ANGE4 ,I ?9KS B\T
KILL+ ALL ! "T4 ,:5 ,I GOES 6HELP BIR? !
BABIES ,I ?9KS ( TAK+ !Y CORDS & /RANGL+
!M ) X4 ,A9T NO M SLAVES NE$ 6BE BORN4
  ,MAMA LE>N ME :AT PLANTS /OP ! BABIES
-+4 ,:Y Y A9T /OP ME ,I ASKS4
  ,I TRIES 6%E SAY4 ,I DR9KS ! SNAKEROOT
TEA & ,I RUBS MY "PS ) SPICEB]RY OIL4 ,B
Y WANT 6-E R1L BAD4 ,A9T NO?+ C /OP Y4
  ,"O ,SUN"D ,I 9 ! WOODS :5 ,I SEES !M
PATROLL]S ) "O ( ,MAS ,/EV5S NI7]S4 ,!Y
RUNN+ HM 2H A HORSE4 ,I SPECTS HE ! "O
/AB ,MAS ,/EV5S & RUN (F 6! WOODS4 ,"S-
BODY /AB HM & X M/ ( BE5 A NI7] CAUSE HE
A9T CALL =! :ITE DOCTOR4 ,HE A9T WANT !
:ITE FOLKS 6"K HE BE5 /AB 0"O ( 8 [N4
,MAS ,WATSON ?9K HE GOT KICK 0A HORSE4
  ,I FEELS SORRY = T NI7] CAUSE ,I "K !Y
A9T F9I% ) HM4 ,F/ 8 OV]SE] ,BANES !N
,MAS ,/EV5S HISSELF4 ,!Y GONNA B1T HM
TILL "! A9T NO?+ M ( HM4 ,HE GONNA   #EG
RISE UP L SMOKE & !Y GONNA B1T HM D[N
AG4 ,!Y GONNA HANG HM F A TREE 0! SIDE (
! ROAD S ALL U SLAVES C SEE :AT HAPP5 6A
NI7] A9T GOT NO M S5SE ?AN 6/AB 8 MAS4
  ,? KNIFE OLD & RU/Y N[4 ,I USE 6?9K XS
MY FREEDOM4 ,IF ,I "E GETS MYF 9 A R1L
TI<T B9D ,I ALW GOTS MY KNIFE4 ,B LIFES
A R1L TI<T B9D & A9T NO EASY WAY \4 ,E
"T H>D LUCK HAPP5 6ME ,I ?9KS X C 2
WORSE4 ,I A9T N"E "U/&S ,I BE5 LIV+ !
WOR/ ( X ALL MY LIFE4
  ,"EY?+ ,I TELLS Y HAPP5 L;G AGO4 ,ME
,I REMEMB]S X J L ? MORN+4 ,Y WANT 6"K
B\T MY ?+S & :Y ,I KEEPS !M CLOSE 6ME4
,I TELLS Y IF Y LI/54
  ,NO NE$ 6WRITE X D[N4








                                     #EH
























                  ,HAT               #EI

  ,0 ! HAT GOT ME4 ,SNUCK UP )\T ME PAY+
NO M9D4 ,I SMELLS "SBODY NE>4 ,FIGURES
XS "O ( !M SMOKEH\SE BOYS4 ,SMELL L CRU%
BITT] ROOT4 ,OLD TURNIP GRE5S4
  ,HE "K ME =E ,I "KS HM4 ,I "W+ 9 !
PACKH\SE B5T OV] A PILE ( TOBA3O L1F :5
HE -E UP 2H ME & SQUEEZE MY NECK4 ,I
TURNS S FA/ MY ELB[ CAT* 8 *94
  ,HE H[L A BIT4 ,I ?9KS HE FOOL+ B !N
,I SEES HE GOT A FRE% W.D ON 8 *94 ,Y
BE5 9 A FI<T4 ,"SBODY D"O CUT Y ,I SAYS4
  ,PIECE ( LIME/"O D"O X HE SAY4 ,!Y GOT
ME "W+ ! PIT :5 X SL[ ON ! DOCKS4 ,!M
/"O "W]S ALL ! "T WANT 6FI<T4 ,!Y WANT A
FI<T ,I GIVES !M "O4 ,ME & !M DOCK "W]S
WE :IPS !M GD4
  ,Y SITT+ UP ON !M DOCKS DR9K+ CORN
LICK]4 ,MAKE Y WANT 6FI<T4
  ,HE GIVE ME 8 SMILE & ,I "KS HM !N4 ,A
FOOT TALL] &A Y>D WID]4 ,E BIT A MAN N[4
,I / ?9K+ HE MY LL BRO!R4 ,B HE A MAN N[
& HE GOT A HAT4
  ,:ITE MANS HAT4 ,HAT L A B[L4 ,BR[N )A
YELL[ SA%4 ,NO HAT =A NI7]4 ,N A     #FJ
FREE COLOR$ EI4 ,I WANTS 6SAY TAKE (F T
HAT =E !Y CAT* Y BOY4 ,B HE S B1UTI;L ,I
A9T GOTS NO ^WS = X4 ,ME ALR GR[N B HM /
GR[+4 ,I A9T WANTS NO?+ 6D ) HM4
  ,": Y F9D T HAT ,I SAYS4 ,I 2LIEVES HE
/OLE X (F A D1D MAN OR KILL "SBODY &
TAKE X4 ,:5 ,I /UDIES A MAN ,I WOND]S :O
HE KILL 6GET :AT HE GOT4 ,I SEES ,JIM 9
T HAT ) 8 H1D S HI<4 ,MAYBE !Y -+ = HM4
,I LOOKS D[N ! ROAD B ,I A9T SEES HORSES
& ,I A9T HE>S DOGS4 ,& HM J /&+ "! SMIL+
L HE "K BETT]4
  ,I BUYS ? HAT ) MY [N M"OY HE SAY R1L
PR\D4
  ,!N Y A FOOL ,I SAYS4 ,Y NE$ 6SAVE YR
M"OY 6BUY YR FREEDOM4
  ,I WANTS 6LOOK SPECTA#4
  ,Y A SPECTACLE ALL "R4 ,Y ?9K :ITE
FOLKS GONNA RESPECT Y CAUSE Y GOT A
PRETTY HAT ON YR H1D4 ,HAT L T A9T SPOSE
6BE WORE ) NO B>E FEET4
  ,HE LAU<4
  ,:AT Y DO+ BACK ? WAY ,I SAYS4 ,A9T NO
HOLI"D4
  ,I -ES BACK 6/AY4                  #FA
  ,!N Y BE/ />T SORT+ ? TOBA3O ,I SAYS4
,WE A9T SPOSE 6BE TALK+ 9 "H4 ,TAILOR
CAT* Y HE :IP Y4
  ,I A9T SC>$ ( ,TAILOR HE SAY4 ,MISS
,WATSON CALL ME BACK4
  ,:AT %E WANT ) Y4
  ,%E WANT ME 6DRIVE H] 6T[N4 ,I GONNA
DRIVE ,MISS :]"E %E WANT 6G4 ,& :5 %E
A9T WANT 6G NO": ,I "WS 9 ! FIELDS4 ,"R
NEXT 6MY SWEET ,SADIE4
  ,Y SURE ?ATS ALL %E WANT4
  ,"EYBODY SAY ,MISS ,WATSON TAKE ,JIM S
%E C PLAY ) HM4 ,I A9T N"E ASKS HM4 ,B
,I "KS !YS *N =C$ 6PL1SE !Y MAS OR MISS4
,JIM A9T N"E TELL ME4
  ,HE -E UP 2H ME & PUT 8 >MS R.D MY
MI4LE4 ,RE/ 8 H1D ON MY BACK4 ,KISS ME
ON ! BACK ( MY NECK4
  ,I ?R[S HM (F4
  ,I A9T N"E LOVES NO MAN4 ,I A9T N"E
LOVES MY "F4 ,NO MAN D"O "E TR1T ME G5-
TLE4 ,I /AYS AWAY F !M4 ,I DONT WANTS !Y
BABIES4
  ,I ALR /OPS ?REE BABIES F -+4 ,I GIVES
BIR? 6!M :5 !Y A9T NO?+ B T9Y        #FB
G\RDS4 ,ALL WR9KLES & TWI/S4 ,I DONT
LOVES ! M5S :O GIVE !M 6ME4 ,B ,I CANT
PROTECTS MY [NSELF 9 ! FIELDS4 ,ANY MAN
WANT 6-E UP 2H ME A9T NO?+ ,I DOES C /OP
HM4 ,MAS WANT ALL ! BABIES4 ,?ATS H[ HE
NUMB] 8 RI*ES4
  ,I TRIES 6FI<T !M AT F/4 ,I BITES !Y
H&S T COV] MY M\?4 ,I KICKS !Y LEGS \4
,B T A9T /OP !M F -+ AT ME4
  ,TAILOR ACT L HE A9T SEE N"O ( X4 ,HE
/ SORE B\T ! "T ,I PULLS MY KNIFE ON HM4
  ,JIM A9T "K ALL T4 ,HE LOOK AT ME &
SEE "S?+ HE WANT4 ,& ,I WANTS HM TOO4 ,I
WANTS 8 HAT4 ,B ,I A9T WANTS 8 BABIES4
  ,I NE$S A PLACE 6SLEEP HE SAY4
  ,Y GOT FRS4 ,G SLEEP ) !M4
  ,A9T GOTS FRS R.D "H NO M4 ,MY FRS ALL
D[N ON ! RIV]FRONT4
  ,I SEES HE SAD F MISS+ 8 LIFE 9 T[N4
,I MISS+ MY LIFE TOO4 ,"T HE L1VE MY
LIFE FALL D[N4
  ,HE LAU< :5 ,I ?R[S HM (F4
  ,9SIDE ,I S GLAD HE -E BACK4 ,GLAD HE
-E BACK 6ME4 ,B ,I SC>$ 6%[ X4 ,!Y MI<T
TAKE HM AWAY AG4                     #FC
  ,HE TAKE ME WALK+ T NI<T4 ,I C SMELLS
! TOBA3O FL[]S4 ,HE LOOK PRETTY ) MOON-
LI<T %9+ ON 8 *EEK4 ,I SEES HM T WAY /4
,A OLD WOMAN ME & HM / A "Y MAN4 ,MOON-
LI<T %9+ ON 8 *EEK4
  ,F T "D ON ,I N"E SEES HM )\T T HAT4
,:5 ,MISS ,WATSON 2 MAD AT HM & S5D HM
6! FIELD HE N"E TAKE X (F4 ,TAILOR KNOCK
X (F4 ,JIM PUT X BACK ON4 ,TAILOR :IP HM
OV] T HAT B HE PUT X BACK ON4 ,HE ?9K HE
TOO GD = U ! O!RS SAY4 ,HE ?9K HE CANT 2
:IP CAUSE HE 2L;G 6,MISS ,WATSON4
  ,! "DS HE ) H] ,I DONT SEES HM M*4 ,:5
HE 9 ! FIELDS ,I SEES HM ) 8 CREW B ,I
SC>$ 6LOOK4 ,SC>$ HE WONT 2 "! :5 ,I
LOOKS AG4
  ,I SEES HM AT NI<T4 ,"S"TS WE GOES
C\RT+ 9 ! WOODS4 ,"O NI<T WE /AYS TILL
MORN+4 ,-E BACK COV] 9 BLACKB]RY JUICE4
,HE GONNA C>RY ME (F 6FREEDOM HE SAY &
N"E LET ME G4 ,HE SLEEP+ ) ME & "EYBODY
"K X4 ,! O!R M5S L1VE ME L"O4
  ,WE /AYS ) ,CORA &! BABIES4 ,WE GOTS
6BE R1L QUIET4 ,S9CE ,CORA CANT SEE
H>DLY NO?+ %E HE> E LL ?+4           #FD
  ,AT F/ ,I LETS HM KISS ME4 ,I A9T
SLEEPS ) NOBODY S9CE ,MAMA DIE4 ,S9CE
,MAS SELL MY FR ,GW54 ,X FEEL GD HAV+
"SBODY W>M GA9/ ME4 ,& 8 H&S /R;G & H>D
L M9E4 ,HE RUB MY %\LD]S & LOOSE ! SORE
(! FIELDS4 ,I F9DS MYF GETT+ ORN]Y :5 HE
SMILE AT ANO!R GAL4
  ,Y BE5 KISS+ GALS AT ! DOCKS ,I SAYS4
  ,HE LAU<4
  ,Y BE5 KISS+ :ITE GALS ,I SAYS4
  ,GAL S :ITE %E MI<T 2 :ITE HE SAY4
,CANT "K = SURE4
  ,I A9T WANTS Y KISS+ ME NO M ,I SAYS4
,Y GONNA L1VE ME = "S YELL[ GAL4
  ,I A9T GONNA L1VE Y = NOBODY4 ,Y !
ONLY "O ,I WANTS 6KISS4
  ,HE S.D R1L S]I\S4
  ,TELL ME B\T ! O!R GALS ,I SAYS4
  ,HE LAY BACK ) 8 H&S 2H 8 H1D4 ,LET ME
SEE HE SAY4
  ,!YS A GAL -E 6M>KET E "D = H] MIS-
TRESS4 ,IF %E F9D ME "! %E KISS ME4 ,F !
"T ,I J A BOY %E LOOK+ = ME4 ,I A9T
LIKES H] AT F/ &! O!R BOYS T1SE ME4 ,B
:5 ,I GETS A LL OLD] ,I />TS LOOK+   #FE
= H] TOO4 ,%E WE> A HAT T GAL4 ,/RAW )A
FAT GRE5 RI2ON4 ,H] MI/RESS GIVE X 6H]
"O ,*RI/MAS4
  ,HE LAY R1L /4
  ,"O "D N L;G AGO ,I SE5 H] BO>D+ A
/1M] HE SAY4 ,*A9 R.D H] LEG4 ,BELLY BIG
) *4 ,!Y SAY %E ?R[ H]F 9 ! RIV] =E !Y
MAKE ,CAIRO4 ,!Y SAY %E BIG )A BABY = H]
MAS4 ,H] MI/RESS D"O SELL H] AWAY4
  ,I A9T WANTS 6HE> NO M ,I SAYS4 ,WE
HOLDS H&S & HE FALL ASLEEP4 ,TAKE ME A
L;G "T 6SLEEP4 ,I ?9K+ ON T GAL4 ,I ?9KS
ON H] A L;G "T =E ,I FALLS ASLEEP4 ,I
WAKES UP 9 A SW1T4
  ,I LOOKS AT ,JIM / SLEEP+4 ,9 MY HE>T
,I B9DS 6HM4 ,HE SLEEP+ S.D B ,I ) T
GAL4 ,I GETS UP & WALKS \TSIDE4 ,I TAKES
9 ! NI<T SKY & ?9KS B\T H]4 ,I ?9KS B\T
H] BABY4 ,IF !Y _SS FREE4 ,IF !Y / 9 !
RIV] OR ALR -E BACK4
  ,8 H&S H>D B 8 FACE S(T4 ,I WANTS HM
ALL "D4 ,:5 ,I SORTS ! TOBA3O :5 ,I S+S
:5 ,I EATS :5 ,I GETS UP 9 ! MORN+ :5 !
SUN B1T D[N ON MY NECK :5 MY F+]S A*E )!
L;G "D4 ,B ,I /AYS AWAY F HM4 ,:5    #FF
HE -E 6SLEEP ,I TURNS AWAY4 ,HE ASK :ATS
VEX+ ME B ,I %AM$ 6SAY X4 ,I SC>$ 6LOVE
ANY"O4 ,"EYBODY ,I "E LOVES BE5 TAK5 F
ME4
  ,"O NI<T HE A9T -E4
  ,I CANT SLEEPS T NI<T4 ,! BABIES UP
CRY+ & ME UP CRY+ ) !M4 ,CORA SAY HU%4
,GOT 6BE A FOOL CRY+ B\T "S MAN %E SAY4
,A9T ,I LE>NS Y BETT] ?AN T4 ,HE \ HAV+
8 FUN4 ,:Y HE WANT 6BE 9 "H ) Y :5 Y A9T
EV5 TALK 6HM4 ,9 MY HE>T ,I "KS %E "R4
,B ,I TOO SC>$ 6SAY MY TRU?4
  ,:5 ,I SEES HM ! NEXT MORN+ HE GOT A
F1!R 9 8 HAT4
  ,I GOTS MY KNIFE 9 MY H&4
  ,HE A9T N"E LOOK AT ME4 ,J -E 9 PUT 8
SACK D[N & PICK UP "O !M BABIES4 ,HE
HOLD X CLOSE 6HM & S+4
  ,:Y Y CRY+ LL BABY4 ,YR MAMA A9T 9 !
FIELDS4 ,? ,SUN"D MORN+ & %E GONNA -E
SEE Y4
  ,HE ROCK X L T & S+4 ,HE LOOK+ AT ME F
! CORN] ": HE /&+4 ,I SEES HM LOOK+ AT
MY KNIFE4 ,HE KEEP ROCK+ & S++4 ,KNIFE
%AK+ 9 MY H&4 ,I PUTS X 9 MY         #FG
POCKET4
  ,I TAKES Y ON A ,SUN"D WALK HE SAY4
,-E WALK ) ME 9 ! WOODS & TELL ME :AT Y
"K4
  ,I TAKES HOLD ! BROOM4 ,I GONNA SWEEP
HM \ ! PLACE4 ,B ,I SEES ,CORA LI/5+ =
MY ANSW]4
  ,I GOTS 6SWEEP ! Y>D ,I SAYS4
  ,Y A9T GOT 6D NO?+ GAL4
  ,CORA GRAB ! BROOM F MY H&4 ,Y G ON &
SEE :AT T FELLA WANT4
  ,%E TAKE ! BABY4 ,I DOES :AT %E SAY4
  ,WE WALKS 6! DANC+ PLACE4 ,A%ES F !
FIRE / HOT4
  ,LA/ NI<T FOLKS -E F ALL ! F>MS R.D &
"S F T[N ,JIM SAY4 ,!Y WANT 6"K :AT ,JIM
SEE4 ,I SAYS ,I SEES WE GONNA 2 FREE4 ,&
Y %D SEE H[ !M P D.E4 ,Y %D ( SE5 U
SLAVES DANC+4 ,MAS ,WATSON TAKE ! DRUM
AWAY B HE CANT /OP U DANC+4 ,WE DRUMS )
ANY?+ WE F9DS4
  ,HE PL1SE ) HISSELF4 ,I LOOKS AT T
PLACE & FEELS H[ M* ,I MISS DANC+4 ,A9T
BE5 "H B ONCE S9CE ,MAMA DIE4 ,S9CE ,I
/>TS "W+ CURES4 ,I SC>$ "SBODY       #FH
MI<T TRY & PUT "S?+ ON ME4
  ,LA/ "T ,I -ES A WOMAN CALL ME \ MY
"N4 ,%E SAY ,I PUTS "S?+ ON H] MAN4 ,I
A9T WANTS YR MAN ,I TELLS H]4 ,B %E PUT
"S?+ ON ME ANYWAY4
  ,AF T ,I CANT LIFTS MYF (F MY PALLET4
,%E PUT "S H1VI;S ON ME4 ,MO/ ! "T ,I
LOOKS \ = MYF & NOBODY C PUT NO?+ ON ME4
,B T NI<T ,I BE5 DANC+ & N PAY+ NOBODY
NO M9D4 ,?ATS :5 %E GOT ME GD4
  ,CORA SAY %E MY HALF SI/] ?ATS :Y %E
A9T L ME4 ,CAUSE H] DA4Y SAME Z MY DA4Y4
,CORA FIX ME UP ) "SBODY "K A CURE4
,TILL ? "D ,I N"E "KS :AT T WOMAN PUT ON
ME4
  ,T MORN+ ) ,JIM MY APRON CAT* ON A
BRAM# BU%4 ,JIM T1SE HE MI<T Z WELL L1VE
ME "! )! SNAKES &! *I7]S4 ,"R !N WE HE>S
A :IPPOORWILL SCR1M4 ,! S.D N"E SC>E ME
=E T "D B N[ ,I PL5TY SC>$4 ,JIM TAKE ME
9 8 >MS & LIFT ME G5TLY (F ! BU%4 ,T S.D
MAKE ME %IV]4
  ,:ATS WR;G ) MY ,SADIE4 ,HE PRESS ME
TI<T4
  ,:AT Y DO+ "H LA/ NI<T4 ,:Y Y      #FI
L1VE ME 6-E "H4
  ,I -ES "H CAUSE FOLKS WANT ME 6TELL !M
:AT ,I SEES4
  ,Y A9T LOSS YR SI<T 6! RIV]4
  ,=A LL :ILE4 ,B N[ X /R;G AG4
  ,:AT Y SEE !N4 ,I WANTS 6"K4
  ,I SEES Y GONNA M>RY ME4
  ,HE GET A BIG GR9 ON 8 FACE4 ,I LAU<S4
,HE LOOK HURT4 ,Y H>DLY GR[N ,I SAYS4
  ,FELLAS MY AGE ALR PAPAS4 ,H[ OLD ,I
GOTS 6BE4
  ,I A9T HAV+ NO BABIES ,I SAYS4 ,I A9T
NE$S 6M>RY4
  ,Y GOT "S O!R FELLA Y LOVE M ?AN ME4
  ,I %AKES MY H1D4
  ,!N M>RY ME ,SADIE4 ,I MAKES Y HAPPY4
  ,:AT ,MISS ,WATSON GONNA SAY4
  ,%E A9T GONNA SAY NO?+4
  ,A9T Y / 2L;G 6H]4
  ,I A9T 2L;GS 6NOBODY4
  ,NOBODY B ME4
  ,?ATS "R4
  ,Y "K X !N4
  ,I "KS X =E ,I -ES BACK4 ,I SE5 X4 ,I
SE5 Y PU%+ MY BR1? 96ME :5 ,I F/     #GJ
-ES 6MY MAMA4
  ,T A9T ME4 ,?ATS ,CORA4
  ,I SE5 Y4
  ,F !N ON ,I 2L;GS 6HM4 ,HE ! "O LOVE
ME S HE ! "O [N ME4 ,8 LOVE GD L MY MA-
MAS4 ,I A9T MISS H] S M* N[ ,I GOTS MY
,JIM4
  ,WE GOES 6! WOODS E ,SATUR"D NI<T4
,"EYBODY "K ,JIM A SE] & FOLKS 2 WAIT+ =
HM 6-E4 ,HE LOOK AT !M R1L GD & SAY :AT
HE SEE4 ,MAYBE HE SEE LOVE4 ,OR MAYBE HE
SEE SICK;S4 ,MAYBE HE SEE A BABY OR A
BABY RETURN4 ,"S"T HE SEE "SBODY GONNA 2
SOLD AWAY &! P WAIL CAUSE !Y A9T WANT
:AT HE SEE4 ,S HE TELL !M !Y GO+ "S":
BETT]4 ,OR !Y A9T GOT 6WORRY CAUSE !Y
ALL 2 SOLD TGR4 ,"O "T ,JIM TELL A FELLA
HE GONNA MAKE PL5TY M"OY 6BUY HISSELF &
8 MAMA4 ,JUMP R1L HI< T FELLA4 ,KICK 8
FEET 9 ! AIR4
  ,DUR+ T "T ,MISS ,WATSONS SI/] M>RY 2H
,MAS ,WATSONS BACK4 ,MAN "N ( ,D\GLAS4
,!Y LIV+ ON A HILL ABV T[N4 ,HE GOT A
BIG PLACE RI* 9 NI7]S4 ,FOLKS SAY !Y GOT
6GET M>RY ?ATS :Y !Y SET X UP4       #GA
,OLD ,MISS R1L HAPPY B ,MAS LOOK SAD TO
LOSE 8 DAU<T]4 ,%E ! "O HE LOVE4
  ,MISS ,WATSON A9T TAKE NO FELLA AT
ALL4 ,%E /& 9 ! W9D[ & LOOK \ AT ! NI7]S
"W+ ! FIELDS4
  ,SUMM] AF T ,OLD ,MISS DIE4 ,%E G 6T[N
6VISIT H] NEW GR&BABY & -E BACK C>RY+ !
M1SLES4 ,I GIVES H] SYRUP MADE F BUTT]-
FLY WE$ & PEPP] B %E TIR$ & %E ALR TURN
AWAY F LIFE4 ,!Y BURY H] "U ! SUG>B]RY
TREE4 ,GR&BABY DIE TOO4 ,!Y BURY HM NEXT
6H]4
  ,N[ J ,MISS ,WATSON & H] DA4Y4 ,MAS
A9T -E \ ! H\SE =A WEEK4 ,MISS -E \ 9 A
:ITE ROBE & WALK 6,LOV]S ,L1P 6MEET ,JE-
SUS4 ,%E CLIMB UP "! )A BUN* ( O!R FOOL
:ITES S !Y C FLY 6H1V54 ,:O "KS :AT HAP-
P5 6! RE/ ( !M B %E -E HOME AL"O4
  ,ME & ,JIM TGR A LOT T FALL4 ,U NI7]S
A9T GOTS 6"W S H>D ) ,MAS GRIEV+4 ,EMMA
L1D ! S;GS & WE GETS 9 ! H>VE/4 ,WE "WS
& SMOKES4 ,AF ! H>VE/ ,TAILOR G 6T[N TO
SEE 8 WIFE4 ,NOBODY TELL U NO?+4
  ,I "KS "S ! O!R GALS VEX CAUSE ,JIM )
ME4 ,B A9T NO?+ !Y C PUT ON ME N[4   #GB
,A9T NO P[] C PULL U A"P4
  ,!Y "K T4 ,?ATS :Y "O ( !M TAKE MY
KNIFE4 ,I PRET5DS N 6NOTICE4 ,ACTS L T
KNIFE A9T NO?+ 6ME4 ,B :5 ,I GOES 9 MY
POCKET ,I CANT FEELS MY MAMAS H& & MY
HE>T HURT4
  ,CANT H1LS NOBODY N[ MY KNIFE G"O4
,FOLKS -E 6ME = HELP B ,I CANT HELPS !M4
,EV5 IF ! L1VES ALL !Y NE$ ,I CANT HELPS
!M4 ,MY P[] BE5 /OLE F ME4 ,I FEELS H1VY
& LOSS4
  ,W9T] -E & WE BURNS ! FIELDS & TURNS !
SOIL4 ,I FEELS A P[] /IRR+ 9SIDE ME4 ,I
P.DS ! DRY BLOODROOT 6P[D]4 ,E NI<T ,I
MAKES MYF A CUP ( T P[D] ) D&ELION TEA4
,:5 T A9T "W ,I TRIES ! SPICEB]RY OIL4
,ALL W9T] ,I SICK ) CRAMP+4 ,CANT KEEPS
NO?+ D[N4 ,C FEELS MY B"OS4
  ,! H]BS A9T "W+ S ,I TRIES TALK+ 6!
BABY4 ,BABIES L SE$L+S4 ,IF !Y "K :AT !Y
GONNA 2 PUT 6!Y A9T GONNA GR[4 ,N IF !Y
GONNA 2 BURN OR MAIM4 ,N IF !Y GONNA 2
*EW 9 "SBODYS M\? OR /UFF 9 "SBODYS
PIPE4 ,!Y )] & DIE =E !Y S]VE T USE4 ,IF
Y TALK 6A BABY =E X -E & TELL X      #GC
:AT USE X GONNA 2 PUT 6Y A9T NE$ NO ROOT
OR B>K OR NO?+4 ,J TALK4 ,*N HE> Y GD =E
!Y -E 96! LI<T4 ,Y :ISP] :AT ! ROAD 2 L
& !Y A9T GONNA MAKE ! J\RNEY4 ,N[ IF Y
TALK 6! BABY & TELL X ! TRU? & X / WANT
6-E A9T NO?+ Y C D 6/OP X4 ,?ATS A _S *4
  ,I DONT SAYS NO?+ 6,JIM TILL HE FEEL !
R.D ( MY BELLY4 ,0T "T SPR+ "H4 ,Y GOT
ME A BOY 9 "! HE SAY4 ,BOY ) BIG EYES &
BIG TEE?4 ,BIG OLD H1D GONNA HURT :5 X
-E \4 ,HE SAY HE SE5 X4 ,HE DR1M X4
  ,T SUMM] ,I C>RIES ! BABY "R UP "U MY
HE>T4 ,E "T ,I B5DS D[N X BUMP UP AG/ MY
RIBS4 ,SW1T RUNN+ (F MY FACE & ,I ALL !
"T ?IR/Y4 ,TAILOR L1VE ME BE4
  ,H>VE/ "T -E & WE "WS 6BR+ 9 ! CROP4
,I B\T 6DROP4 ,I WALK+ AH1D LOOK+ =
SPOTS ON ! L1VES & !MS ) CURL AT ! TIP4
,I GOTS A CURVE KNIFE 6SPLIT ! /ALK4
,EMMA -+ 2H ME )! /ICK PICK+ UP ! "OS ,I
PUTS D[N4 ,JIM LOAD+ ! /ICKS 9 ! WAGON &
DRIV+ !M 6! CUR+ B>N4 ,I A9T GOTS "T TO
LOOK = HM4 ,!Y BR+ U FOOD 9 ! FIELD & WE
KEEPS ON "W+4 ,I GETS S DIZZY ,I FALLS
\4 ,EMMA PULL ME BACK UP4            #GD
  ,Y NE$ 6EAT "S?+ %E SAY4
  ,%E CALL "O (! *N 6BR+ ME "S CORN &
WAT]4 ,%E WAT*+ ME CLOSE4
  ,-+ YR "T %E SAY4
  ,I / GOTS A LL :ILE ,I SAYS4 ,BABY A9T
DROP D[N4 ,:ATS WR;G ) Y GETT+ BIG = H>-
VE/ "T4 ,Y ! "O CLAIM Y A9T HAV+ NO
BABIES4
  ,I TRIES 6TELL H] ? "O -+ CAUSE ,JIM
SE5 X4
  ,Y A9T NO?+ B TWO FOOLS "O BI7] ?AN !
O!R ,EMMA SAY4 ,HE A9T SE5 A DAMN ?+4 ,Y
TALK+ L !M ,AFRICANS4 ,IF HE C SEE S M*
H[ -E HE CANT SEE 8 WAY 6FREEDOM4 ,HE
A9T GONNA BR+ Y NO?+ B SORR[4 ,?ATS :AT
,I SEES4
  ,SOON Z ! B>N FULL !Y BUILD ! FIRES4
,*N T5D+ !M "D & NI<T4 ,S HOT UP 9 "! "O
( !M BOYS PASS \ & !Y BR+ HM 6ME4 ,I S
TIR$ ,I C B>ELY /&S4 ,! H1T ( !M L;G "DS
TOO M* = ME & ,I C FEELS ! BABY B\T 6-E4
,I PUTS MY H&S ON T BOY & ,I FEELS HM
GETT+ COLD4 ,JIM SAY A9T NO?+ ,I C D4
,BOY A9T GOT NO WAT] 9 HM4 ,HE DRY L A
TOBA3O L1F4                          #GE
  ,TAILOR TELL ME 6MAKE ! BOY BETT] S HE
C GET BACK 6"W4 ,WE BR+S HM WAT] B WE
CANT GETS X D[N HM4 ,HE DIE ! NEXT "D4
  ,"D AF T MY ,LIZBE? BORN4 ,%E -E
SCR1M+ 96! _W4
  ,:5 ! H>VE/ F9I% ,MAS GIVE U A SUPP]4
,HE GONNA M>RY :O"E HE SAY C M>RY4 ,JIM
ASK HM B\T U B ,MAS SAY HE GOT ANO!R GAL
9 M9D = ,JIM4 ,JIM SAY HE A9T GONNA M>RY
NOBODY B ME4 ,MAS SAY HE GONNA M>RY :O
,MAS WANT HM TO4
  ,JIM -E 6ME 9 ! CAB94 ,HE P[];L MAD4
,HE ?R[ 8 HAT ON ! GR.D4 ,SAY HE A9T
GONNA "W = ,MAS NO M4 ,SAY HE A9T GONNA
"W = NO :ITE4
  ,I SAYS DONT MATT] :AT ,MAS SAY4 ,HE
LET Y JUMP ! BROOM B HE A9T GIV+ Y NO
PAP]S4 ,Y C M>RY YRF GD Z ,MAS C M>RY Y4
  ,S ?ATS :AT WE D"O4 ,WE M>RIES \RSELF
! NEXT ,SATUR"D 9 ! Y>D4 ,CORA SAY "S
^WS OV] U & WE Z M* M>RY Z IF ,MAS D"O X
HISSELF4 ,WE JUMPS ! BROOM "U ! BLACK
WALNUT TREE4
  ,! BABY ! "O M>RY U ,JIM SAY4 ,HE
*ANGE AF ,LIZBE? -E4 ,HE CANT KEEP   #GF
8 M9D ON 8 SORT+ "W4 ,PUTT+ ! L1F 9 !
WR;G PILES4 ,E "D HE -E HOME B1T4 ,I
PUTS ! WIT* HAZEL GR1SE ON 8 BACK4 ,HE
CRY L A BABY & LET ME HOLD HM4
  ,HE ALL ! "T TALK B\T RUNN+ (F4 ,I
?9KS ON :AT ,EMMA SAY4 ,I A9T GONNA RUN
) NO BABY ,I TELLS HM4 ,& ,I A9T L1V+ H]
2H4 ,Y PROMISE Y A9T GONNA RUN )\T U4
  ,HE PROMISE4 ,B HE ALL ! WAY *ANGE N[4
,HE WORRY "D & NI<T OV] T BABY4 ,M HE
WORRY ! /R;G] HE GET4
  ,:ILE WE TURN+ ! SOIL HE HUMM+ 6HIS-
SELF A LL FREEDOM S;G4 ,DEEP RIV] HE S+4
,MY HOME RE/ OV] ,JORDAN4
  ,X CAT* 9 8 ?ROAT & HE A9T WANT 6S+
NO?+ ELSE4 ,WE ALL PICKS X UP4 ,WE "WS
S[+ ! B$ TILL \R F+]S L ICICLES4 ,WE
RUBS !M 6BR+ ! FEEL+ BACK4 ,I RUBS ,JIMS
9 FRONT ! FIRE4 ,SMOKE FILL ! CAB9 &!
BABY C\<+4 ,%E BR1?+ H1VY4 ,T W9T] H1VY
ON ALL ( U4
  ,SPR+ -E L ALW &! BABY LIVE4 ,%E HUN-
GRY ALL ! "T4 ,%E FE$ AT ,CORA & FE$ AT
ME BO?4
  ,MAS ,WATSON HIRE ME \ 6A DOCTOR   #GG
9 T[N4 ,I SAYS :Y Y GONNA MAKE ME L1VE
MY BABY ,MAS4 ,HE SAY HE NE$ ! M"OY4
  ,DOC ,R5>D USE QU99E = "EY?+4 ,HE SAY
,I A9T "KS NO?+ B\T H1L+4 ,MY JOB 6CL1N
! PLACE4 ,I GOTS 6BOIL ALL ! %EETS &
TOOLS & CL1N ALL ! BLOOD AWAY4 ,HE SAY
M$IC9E TOO CL"E = NI7]S4 ,SAY U NI7]S
2LIEVES 9 <O/S & ?ATS :Y WE A9T "KS NO?-
+4 ,WE SC>$ ( \R [N %AD[S4
  ,HE S5D ME 6! COLLEGE 6W>M UP A BODY4
,G F/ ?+ 9 ! MORN+ HE SAY4 ,MAKE X NICE
& S(T S ,I C CUTS X OP54 ,HE LAU< :5 HE
SAY X4 ,HE MAKE 8 EYES BIG4
  ,I SE5 LOTS ( D1D BODIES S ,I A9T SC>$
6D X4 ,B ,I SC>$ (! COLLEGE & !M "Y M5S4
,S ,I GOES 9 ! NI<T4
  ,I TAKES A LANT]N & WALKS UP ! HILL 6!
COLLEGE4 ,I C>RIES A KETTLE & "S WOOD =A
FIRE4 ,ON MY BACK ,I GOTS A BUNDLE ( TO-
BA3O L1F4 ,I GONNA GET ME "S WAT] AT !
COLLEGE WELL & BUILD ME A FIRE 6BOIL !
%EETS4 ,!N ,I PLANS 6LAY !M %EETS OV] T
H>D COLD BODY TILL MORN+ -E4 ,I GONNA
KEEP ON BOIL+ !M %EETS ALL NI<T L;G & :5
,DOC GET "! 9 ! MORN+ 8 BODY 2 W>M   #GH
& WAIT+4
  ,I DOES J L ,I PLANS )! %EETS4 ,I WR+S
!M \ )! FIRE T;GS & C>RIES !M ON A PLAT-
T]4 ,9 MY PIPE ,I GOTS "S B>K F ! SASSA-
FRAS ROOT4 ,I SMOKES X 6QUIET ! SMELL4
  ,:5 ,I GETS 6! ROOM )! BODY ,I PUTS
D[N MY LANT]N & OP5S ! DOOR R1L SL[4 ,I
SEES A BLACK MAN LAY+ ON ! TA#4 ,HE A
OLD MAN & BLACK L A ,AFRICAN4 ,X MAKE ME
SICK 6?9K B\T ,DOC CUTT+ ON HM4 ,HE GOT
SC>S ALL OV] 8 BODY4 ,HE ALR BE5 CUT TOO
M*4 ,I CANT TELLS H[ HE DIE OR ": HE F
OR H[ -E ,DOC GOT HM "H4 ,B ,I FEELS =
HM4 ,& ,I A9T M9DS 2+ ! LA/ "O 6SEE HM
=E ,DOC CUT HM UP4 ,I GONNA WA% 8 BODY
G5TLE4 ,I GONNA WA% 8 OLD TIR$ FEET & S+
A M\RN+ S;G4
  ,I DOES ALL T & KEEPS BOIL+ M WAT] &
BR++ M %EETS4 ,I LAYS "S TOBA3O L1F ON 8
*E/ & COV]S 8 MANHOOD4 ,GIVES HM ! RE-
SPECT (A ELD]4 ,I A9T N"E "KS MY GR&PAPA
& ,I LOOKS AT ? MAN & WOND]S B\T 8 *N4
,H[ -E !Y A9T BURY HM4 ,MAYBE !Y F>
AWAY4 ,MAYBE ,DOC /OLE A D1D MAN4
  ,:OLE ROOM W>M & MOI/ )! /1M F !   #GI
%EETS4 ,I FALLS ASLEEP SITT+ ON A /OOL )
MY PIPE / 9 MY M\?4 ,CLOSE 6MORN+ :5 !
_S -E4 ,I FEELS X T\* MY >M4 ,:5 ,I OP5S
MY EYES ! OLD MAN LOOK+ AT ME4
  ,MAKE ME %IV] ALL OV]4 ,B ,I LOOKS
BACK 6SEE IF HE BR1?+4 ,!N ,I GETS UP &
%UTS 8 EYES4
  ,I A9T GOES BACK 6,DOC ,R5>D4 ,I GOES
HOME 6,CLE> ,CREEK 9/1D4 ,I TELLS ,MAS
MY /ORY & HE DONT MAKE ME G BACK4 ,:5 ,I
GETS HOME ,LIZBE? WALK+4 ,%E DONT "K ME4
  ,JIMS EYES BIG ) TE>S :5 HE SEE ME4
,WE A9T SAYS NO?+ 6EA* O!R4 ,N T MORN+
OR T NI<T4 ,HE WA% ME ) SOAPWE$ 6BURY !
SMELL (! D1D4
  ,?ATS A H>D S1SON4 ,"EY?+ D>K R.D
,CLE> ,CREEK4 ,RA9 FALL+ /1DY & L1VES
HANG+ L[4 ,BODY TURN UP 9 ,BIRD ,SL\<4
,BODY ( ,N]IUM ,TODD4 ,JIM "K HM F ! WA-
T]FRONT4 ,HE G"O MISS+ CLOSE 6,*RI/MAS4
,!Y F9D HM 9 ! WAT] ALL CUT UP4
  ,JIM SAY U NI7]S GOTS H>D "TS -+ B HE
A9T SAY :54 ,J MAYBE SPR+ A GD "T 6MAKE
A MOVE4 ,BABY / SMALL 5 6SLEEP ON MY
BACK4 ,MAS A9T GOT ! M"OY 6HIRE NO   #HJ
DOGS 6-E AF U4
  ,S WE MAKES \R PLANS4 ,WE GONNA RUN 6!
,/"O ,S*OOL4 ,!YS A *UR* T MEET "!4 ,JIM
SAY !Y GOT A HOLE "U ! PULPIT4 ,A HOLE =
HID+ NI7]S4 ,!Y GONNA HELP U GET 6! D5-
TI/ 9 ,QU9CY4 ,& !N WE GOES 6,CANAAN4
  ,I WORRIES :E!R ! :ITES AT ,/"O ,S*OOL
A9T L ! ,MURRELL GANG T TAKE AWAY ,JIMS
"F4 ,& IF ,JIM A9T L 8 "F 2LIEV+ 9 ?+S T
:ITE FOLKS TELL HM4 ,?+S T A9T TRUE4
  ,SPR+ -E & ,I CANT KEEPS NO?+ D[N4 ,MY
BLE$+ N"E -E4 ,I F9DS "S *ICORY 0! SIDE
(! ROAD & USES X 6SETTLE ME D[N4 ,I A9T
BR1!S A ^W 6,JIM4 ,? BABY GONNA 2 BORN 9
,CANAAN4 ,A9T N"E GONNA 2 A SLAVE4 ,?
BABY ,I GONNA KEEP4
  ,WE WAITS =! NI<T WE L1V+4 ,SATUR"D
NI<T4 ,ALL "D L;G WE WAT*ES & WAITS4 ,WE
PLANN+ 6BE HALFWAY 6,QU9CY 0,SUN"D NI<T
=E ANY"O "K WE G"O4 ,T MORN+ ,I HELPS
,CORA )! WA%+4 ,I WANTS 6HOLD H] CLOSE &
ASK H] 6-E ) U4 ,B ,I CANT = FE> %E SAY
NO4 ,%E ! F/ "O ,MAS GONNA TALK 6:5 HE
R1LIZE WE A9T "!4
  ,! CL\DS GETT+ D>K :5 ,MISS        #HA
,WATSON CALL = U4 ,%E GO+ 6,BE> ,CREEK
6GET RELIGION4 ,%E WANT ,JIM 6DRIVE H] &
%E WANT ME 6-E L;G 6T5D A ,BAPTI/ GIRL4
,I LOOKS AT ,JIM & HE SW1T+4 ,B HE HIT*
UP ! BU7Y & WE GETS IN4 ,I SITS CROSS F
,MISS ,WATSON B WE A9T SAYS ANY?+ 6EA*
O!R4
  ,:5 WE GETS 6,BE> ,CREEK ,MISS ,WATSON
TELL U 6G ON IN4 ,DONT 2 SC>$ %E SAY4
,NI7]S -E 6S]VICE 2F4
  ,JIM GOT 8 HAT ON S HE TAKE X (F4 ,WE
LI/5S 6! :ITE PR1*] TALK B\T HELL &!
DEVIL 9 \R HE>TS4 ,WE /IFF Z LOGS ME &
,JIM4 ,\TSIDE XS />T+ 6/ORM4
  ,AF ! S]VICE ,JIM DRIVE U OV] 6! H\SE
(! ,BAPTI/ GIRL4 ,%E BIG ) *4 ,ALL SWOLE
UP & R$4 ,:ILE ,I RUBS H] ) COLUMB9E
SALVE :ITE FOLKS TALK B\T "S SLAVES TRY+
6SUE = !Y FREEDOM4 ,ANY NI7] TRY 6TAKE
ME 6C\RT A9T GONNA LIVE 6TELL B\T X4
,?ATS :AT !Y SAY+4
  ,MISS ,WATSON SAY ,SADIE Y G TELL ,JIM
6PUT ! HORSE 9 ! /A# )! O!RS4 ,WE A9T
GONNA MAKE X HOME TN4 ,HE C SLEEP 9 !
/A#4 ,Y G B$ D[N 2H ! /OVE4          #HB
  ,9 ! MORN+ TREES D[N F ! /ORM S WE
GOES A DI6]5T WAY HOME4 ,SUN %9+ B"R "?
! L1VES4 ,AIR CL1N ( W9T] SMOKE4 ,MISS
,WATSON TALK 6ME B\T ,GOD4 ,I LI/5S &
SAYS YES MAAM4 ,9SIDE ,I ALL TORE UP4 ,I
"KS ,JIM FEEL ! SAME4
  ,:5 WE GETS HOME ,CORA /&+ )! BABY4
,SAY ,LIZBE? BE5 LOOK+ = U4 ,%[ YR MAMA
& DA4Y H[ Y C WAVE YR H& %E SAY4 ,LIZBE?
OP5 & CLOSE H] LL F+]S4 ,JIM TAKE H] &
HOLD H] 6HM4 ,HE KISS ,CORA ON BO?
*EEKS4
  ,\R PLANS RU9 = N[4 ,SUN"D PASS SL[4
,NOBODY LEFT AT ! ,/"O ,S*OOL 6%[ U 6!
HOLE & COV] U )! PULPIT4 ,NOBODY 6R[ U
CROSS ! RIV] 6,QU9CY4
  ,T NI<T ,I TELLS ,JIM :AT ,I HE>S !
:ITE FOLKS AT ,BE> ,CREEK TALK+ B\T4 ,HE
SAY !Y TALK+ B\T ,DR$ & ,H>RIET4 ,HE SAY
ALL ! ,BAPTI/ SLAVES TALK+ B\T X TOO4
,!M ,/4 ,L\IS NI7]S GOT "S N]VE !Y SAY4
,DRESS+ L :ITE FOLKS & ACT+ L !M TOO4
  ,JIM SAY HE 2LIEVE ?ATS :Y ,MISS ,WAT-
SON BR+ HM BACK F ! WAT]FRONT4 ,%E M/ (
HE> TELL ( SLAVES RUNN+ (F ) ABO-    #HC
LI;NI/S4 ,JIM SAY WE C MAKES X 6FREEDOM
IF WE C GETS \RSELF ONTO A /1M]4 ,HE GOT
A PLAN4 ,"O "D :5 ALL ! :ITE FOLKS FALL+
SICK ,MISS ,WATSON GONNA ASK U 6T[N4 ,:5
WE GETS "! HE GONNA SN1K (F & TALK 6HIS
FR LOAD+ ! /1MBOATS4 ,HE GONNA F9D \ :
"O ! ABOLI;NI/S ON4
  ,JIM SAY 8 FR MAKE GD M"OY "W+ !
DOCKS4 ,GETT+ M"OY F ABOLI;NI/S & TAK+ X
F POOR NI7]S HE A9T N"E GONNA SEE AG4 ,&
N"E GONNA CLAIM 6"K IF HE D SEE4 ,JIM
SAY 8 FR GONNA 2 S RI* "T HE GET 8 [N
BOAT 6,CAIRO HE A9T N"E GONNA H 6"W AG4
  ,WE MI<T F9DS TR\# HE SAY4 ,:ITE FOLKS
"K WE ! ,WATSONS NI7]S4 ,B ! ABOLI;NI/S
C MAKE UP PAP]S SAY+ !Y [NS U4 ,JIM SAY
HE GONNA WAIT =A GD "T :5 WE D"O ) \R "W
& WONT 2 MISS4 ,!N WE GONNA WALK OV] 6!
DOCKS4 ,WE GONNA WALK SEP>ATE CASE (
TR\#4 ,:5 8 FR PO9T \ ! :ITES ) \R PAP]S
,JIM -E F9D ME 9 MY HID+ PLACE "U ! LEV-
EE4 ,!N WE BO>DS ! /1M] ) PAP]S & NEW
[N]S4 ,WE GETS (F AT ,CAIRO ,ILL9OIS4
,!N WE FREE4
  ,I A9T S SURE B\T N"O ( T4 ,ONLY   #HD
NI7]S ,I "KS RUN (F -E BACK D1D4 ,B :5
,I LOOKS AT ,JIM & SEES HM P9+ = 8 FREE-
DOM ,I "KS HE NE$ ME 62LIEVE4
  ,GETT+ BACK 6! RIV]S ALL HE C ?9K AB4
,CROSS+ ,JORDAN4
  ,:5 HE RUN ,I GONNA RUNS ) HM4 ,WE
L1VES ,LIZBE? ) ,CORA4 ,:5 WE GETS \R
FREEDOM WE GONNA "W 6BUY \R ,LIZBE?4
,CORA TOO4 ,?ATS ! ONLY WAY ,I C ?9KS ON
X4 ,LIZBE? ?9K ,CORA H] MAMA TRUE4
  ,PLANT+ S1SON -E & WE BIDES \R "T4
,JIM SAY WE A9T GONNA TRY ! ,/"O ,S*OOL
AG CAUSE :AT HAPP5 0 A SIGN4 ,! _SS
KEEP+ U SAFE4 ,SAY+ G ? WAY N T WAY4
,JIM SAY WE GOTS 6LI/5 R1L CLOSE = \R _S
GUIDES4 ,!Y ! "OS GONNA TAKE U 6FREEDOM4
  ,WE GOTS \R [N CAB9 N[ B WE ACTS L WE
A9T TGR4 ,JIM ?9K X CAUSE ,I MAD AT HM =
"S?+ OR SAD B\T / 2+ "H4 ,B ,I DONT
WANTS HM 6FEEL MY BELLY & SEE H[ H>D X
BE4
  ,MISS ,WATSON GOT X 9 H] M9D 6SAVE \R
S\LS4 ,ON ,SATUR"D AF WE QUITS "W+ %E
GA!R U = PRAY]4 ,%E BR+ ,PR1*] ,/[E 6SEE
:O WANT 6BE BAPTIZE4 ,:O WANT 6BE    #HE
SAVE4
  ,/[E ALL ! "T TALK+ B\T H1V54 ,GETT+
6! O!R SIDE & RE/+ 9 ! ,"L4 ,I S SICK )
WANT+ MY FREEDOM ,I CANT /&S 6HE> NO S]-
MONS4 ,FOLKS ALL ! "T S++ B\T CAMPGR.D4
,I J WANTS 6LAY MY H1D D[N ON ,JIMS *E/
& N"E GETS UP4 ,NOBODY 6BO!R U4 ,?ATS MY
H1V54
  ,! TOBA3O A9T NO TALL] ?AN MY F+] :5
,I FEELS ! BABY SWIMM+ R.D 9 MY BELLY4
,FREEDOM SEEM F>!R & F>!R (F & ,I A9T
SURE X "E GONNA -E4 ,I CANT GIVES ,MAS
ANO!R BABY4 ,LIZBE? SAFE ) ,CORA4 ,JIM /
A "Y MAN4 ,HE SAY HE ALR SE5 8 FREEDOM4
,B HE N"E SAY HE SE5 M9E4
  ,I />TS =! WOODS B ,I N"E GETS "!4 ,I
-ES 6! POND AT ! $GE (! WOODS4 ,POND ":
,JIM BR+ ! HORSES 6DR9K4 ,I TAKES (F MY
DRESS4 ,A9T NO MOON T NI<T4 ,POND A9T
DEEP B XS PL5TY DEEP = DR[N+4 ,I CLIMBS
D[N 9 ! WAT]4 ,MY :OLE BODY %AKE4 ,I
L1NS BACK TILL ,I FEELS ! WAT] HOLD+ ME4
,I J LAYS "! LOOK+ AT ! NI<T4 ,I FEELS !
BABY FLOAT+ 9SIDE ME4 ,I DIPS MYF "U &
/AYS D[N4 ,X FEEL FREE "U ! WAT]4    #HF
,I -ES UP LAU<+4 ,!N ,I FALLS BACK D[N4
,I FEELS MY BODY GETT+ BI7]4 ,I GETS
SC>$ & LETS X RAISE UP AG4 ,!N ,I GOES
"U =A L;G "T TILL ,I FEELS ! BR1? L1V+
ME4
  ,JIM F9D ME L T FLOAT+4
  ,:ATS WR;G ) Y GAL4
  ,HE WADE 9 ! POND & C>RY ME \4 ,I %IV-
]S 9 ! NI<T AIR4 ,HE HOLD ME 6HM4
  ,Y G"O & LOSS YR M9D4
  ,!N HE SEE WE GOTS ANO!R * -+4 ,I CANT
GIVES ,MAS ANO!R * ,I SOBS4 ,I GOES 6MY
GRAVE =E ,I GIVES ,MAS ANO!R *4
  ,Y HU% N[ HE SAY4 ,?ATS ,LIZBE?S *4
,%E ASK = HM & HE GONNA -E NO MATT] :AT
Y D4 ,Y A9T WANT 6GIVE \R BABY GIRL "S
-PANY4 ,Y SELFI% ?ATS ALL4 ,TRY+ 6SN1K
(F & GET RID ( ,LIZBE?S BABY4 ,:AT ,I
GONNA SAY 6H] :5 %E GR[ UP & ASK :AT
HAPP5 6H] MAMA4 ,%E DR[N H]F CAUSE %E
A9T WANT 6GIVE Y "S -PANY4
  ,I CRIES & CRIES4
  ,WE "NS ! BABY ,JONNIE4
  ,NEXT YE> ! SAME Z 2F4 ,WE S[S & PL[S
9 W9T]4 ,NURSES ! SE$L+S L;G 9       #HG
SPR+ TILL !Y R1DY 6BE MOVE DUR+ RA9Y
S1SON4 ,TOPP+ & SUCK]+ 9 ! H1T (! SUMM]4
,PULL+ (F ! WORMS TILL "T =! H>VE/ &
CUR+4 ,TIR$ ( H1L+ FOLKS J S !Y C G BACK
6! FIELDS4
  ,JONNIE LE>N 6WALK4 ,LIZBE? FE$+ !
*ICK5S4 ,! O!R *N RUN & PLAY B %E ALL !
WAY WAT*+ =! "W]S4 ,WAIT+ = U 6-E 9 F !
FIELDS4 ,E NI<T %E BR+ ME WAT]4 ,I A9T
GOTS 6TELL H]4 ,%E WA% MY FEET4 ,%E -B
H] DA4YS HAIR4 ,A9T B A LL ?+ B %E ALR
TRY+ 6SEW4 ,WE GOTS TWO *N 6L1VE OR
TAKE4 ,ME & ,JIM WE A9T TALKS NO M B\T
RUNN+4
  ,!N ,LIZBE? TAKE )! FEV]4 ,I BR+S H]
BUTT]FLY WE$ & G>LIC & FIVE F+] ROOT &
BURR SE$4 ,B ,I WORRIES %E A9T GONNA -E
"?4 ,CORA LOOK AF H]4 ,I A9T TRU/S MYF4
,IF %E L1VE ME ,I 2 SORR[4 ,IF %E L1VE
ME ,I 2 JOY4 ,%E S* A FEEL+ *4 ,I A9T
WANTS H] 6SU6]4
  ,CORA TAKE GD C>E ( ,LIZBE? TILL %E C
/& ON H] [N4 ,!N %E -E BACK 6! CAB94 ,%E
/& 9 ! DOOR H] SK9 GRAY L A%4 ,JIM TELL
H] 6%UT ! DOOR CAUSE %E LETT+ 9 !    #HH
COLD4 ,B %E A9T FOLL[ HM4
  ,HE TELL H] AG B %E J /& "!4 ,A9T SAY
A ^W4
  ,JIM FEEL+ H>D !M "DS4 ,I C TELLS HE
ALL ! "T ?9K+ B\T ,N]IUM ,TODD4 ,WE B>E-
LY TALKS 6EA* O!R4 ,JONNIE TEE?+4 ,HE
CRY+ ALL ! "T4 ,& "H ,LIZBE? ACT+ L %E
A9T "K H] DA4Y4
  ,IF Y MAKE ME RAISE UP (F ? FLOOR HE
TELL H] ,I GONNA SPANK Y GD4 ,/ %E A9T D
L HE SAY4
  ,L1VE H] 2 ,I SAYS 6HM4 ,%E A9T "R4
,%E / )! FEV]4 ,X A9T L1VE H] H1D4
  ,I GONNA KNOCK X \ H] H1D HE SAY4
  ,B =E HE C GRAB H] ! W9DS -E UP & ?R[
! DOOR %UT4 ,LIZBE? N"E MOVE4
  ,LOOK 6ME L %E FROZ54 ,I GETS UP &
PUTS MY >M R.D H]4 ,I PULLS H] 6ME4 ,H]
LL HE>T B1T+ L HORSES 2+ :IP4 ,JIM -E UP
ON H] & YELL "S?+ 9 H] E>4 ,!N HE PICK
H] UP & CRY4
  ,?ATS :5 WE "KS %E CANT HE> NO?+4 ,T
SC>LET FEV] TAKE H] HE>+4 ,N[ ALL ?REE (
U GOTS TE>S ROLL+ D[N \R FACES4
  ,JONNIE SEE U CRY+ & HE />T TO     #HI
BAWL4 ,SCR1M+ S L\D WE />TS 6LAU<4 ,JIM
LOOK AT ,LIZBE?4 ,%E A9T "K :Y WE LAU<+
B %E SMILE4 ,Y LUCKY Y CANT HE> YR BRO!R
CRY NO M ,JIM SAY4 ,%E SMILE AT HM4
  ,JIM FIX 8 M9D ON MAK+ M"OY4 ,HE GONNA
BUY \R FREEDOM4 ,FOLKS GIVE HM M"OY =
SEE+ ?+S4 ,Y WANT HM 6SEE "S?+ Y GOTTA
ANTE UP4 ,PUT ! M"OY 9 ! HAT4 ,AF A YE>
HE GOT ALM FIFTY DOLL>S4 ,B FIFTY DOLL>S
WONT BUY Y NO?+ B A HALF D1D NI7]4 ,N
EV5 "O ( ,JONNIES TOES4
  ,I WAT*ES MY HUSB& S9K4 ,WE />TS LAY+
TGR AG B HALF ! "T HE TURN AWAY4 ,"EY?+
REM9D HM (! FREEDOM HE CANT H4
  ,"O "D HE 9 T[N :5 !Y RUNN+ ! HOGS 6!
/OCKY>DS4 ,HE SAY !M HOGS RUNN+ S FA/ L
!Y RUNN+ = !Y FREEDOM4 ,!Y SLAVES 2+ RUN
6M>KET4
  ,:ITE FOLKS PICK+ UP & RU%+ (F 6,CALI-
=NIA 6F9D !M "S GOLD4 ,JIM SAY HE WI%
,MAS G 6,CALI=NIA4 ,HE G 6,CALI=NIA WE G
6,CANADA4 ,!Y GOT GOLD 9 ,CANAAN TRUE4
  ,ALL UP & D[N ! RIV] FOLKS TALK+ B\T
,MOSES4 ,SAY %E /1L+ NI7]S & TAK+ !M
NOR?4 ,%E KEEP GO+ BACK B !M PA-     #IJ
TROLL]S N"E CAT* H]4 ,%E MAKE X ) :OLE
GR\PS ( WOM5 & *N4 ,IF %E C MAKE X WE
MAKES X4 ,WE ALR NOR?4
  ,*OL]A /RIKE T SUMM] & ,JIM TAKE SICK4
,HE BR+ X F T[N4 ,MAS SAY WE GOTS 6BUILD
A SICKH\SE F> CROSS ! FIELD4 ,HE PUT
,JIM 9 "!4 ,I BR+S HM BLACKB]RY L1VES &
ROOTS & TWIG TEA F ! WIT* HAZEL4 ,MAS
SAY HE DONT WANT ME T5D+ 6,JIM4 ,HE BUY
A OLD WOMAN = FIFTY DOLL>S & MAKE H] "W
9 "!4
  ,WE GOTS YELL[ FEV] T W9T]4 ,&A SLAVE
"N ,B5 BLAME = KILL+ TWO :ITE *N4 ,HE
HANG = ALL 6SEE4 ,! *OL]A BACK AG 9
SPR+4 ,JIM ALL "R B ,JONNIE 9 ! SICK-
H\SE4 ,9 ,GEORGIA A :ITE LOOK+ GAL & H]
BLACK HUSB& BUY !Y [N TICKETS 6FREEDOM4
,!N WE ALL FUGITIVES4 ,EV5 IF WE RUNS
AWAY ,MAS GOT ! "R 6CROSS ! BORD] & /1L
U BACK4
  ,MAS ,/EV5S SLAVES DROPP+ "O 0"O4 ,!Y
A9T GOTS NO SICKH\SE 6G TO4 ,MAS ,WATSON
TRY H>D N 6LOSE ANY ( U4 ,HE LET U KILL
! *ICK5S = FOOD4 ,& HE MAKE 8 [N M$IC9E
( HOT LEMON WAT] & H"OY =! FOLKS 9   #IA
! SICKH\SE4 ,HE LET ! "MS -E 9 6NURSE &
HE LET ! "OS ) * L1VE ! FIELDS :5 !Y
SICK4 ,FOLKS SAY ,MAS GETT+ OLD S HE A9T
"O 6BE M1N NO M4
  ,B "O "D ,CORA DROP A * &! NEXT "D HE
D1D4 ,MAS -E 6! CAB9S 6F9D ,CORA & B1T
H]4
  ,JIM SAY HE GONNA LOSE ALL 8 TEE? &
BO? 8 EYES =E HE LET ,MAS :IP ,CORA4
,JIM LOOK AT ,MAS & SAY X R1L CALM4 ,Y
A9T GONNA :IP N"O ( U AG4
  ,MAS ,WATSON TURN R$ Z HOT COAL4 ,:AT
Y TALK+ B\T NI7]4
  ,I TELL+ Y :AT ,I SE5 ,MAS4 ,I SE5 MY
D1? IF Y T\* ,CORA ) T :IP4
  ,MAS TURN ! :IP ON ,JIM B ,JIM DONT
LET HM USE X4 ,HE GRAB X F ,MAS H& &
/RIKE ! GR.D4 ,!N HE ?R[ ! :IP ASIDE4 ,X
LAY 9 ! DU/ L ! SK9 (A SNAKE4
  ,JIM TAKE ,MAS 0! >M & L1D HM BACK 6!
H\SE4 ,MAS %AK+ B ,JIM WALK+ R1L /1DY4
,RE/ ( U TURNS & WALKS BACK 6! CAB9 )
,CORA4 ,NOBODY "E SAY NO?+ B\T X4
  ,MAS TAKE SICK R1L BAD NEXT W9T]4
,CANT TALK CANT WALK CANT B>ELY      #IB
BR1!4 ,JIM GOT 6LIFT HM \ ! B$4 ,!Y BR+
9 ! :ITE DOCTOR4 ,?ATS H[ WE "KS HE BAD
(F4
  ,ALL U NI7]S PRAY4
  ,MAS ALW SAY HE FREE U :5 HE DIE4 ,HE
LOOK+ S FRAIL WE ?9K+ MAYBE ?ATS \R
FREEDOM4 ,JIM SAY HE A9T GOT L;G4
  ,"T ,MAS ,WATSON DIE X SN[+4 ,HE SICK
S L;G NOBODY FIGURE HE "E GONNA DIE4 ,!N
"O "D HE G"O & ,MISS ,WATSON CRY+4 ,WE
B[S \R H1DS :5 ,JIM C>RY HM \4
  ,& WAITS 6HE> :AT -E ( U4
  ,"O WEEK AF ! BURIAL ,MISS ,WATSON
CALL ,TAILOR 6! F>MH\SE4 ,!YS LOTS (
:ITES -+ & GO+ F ! H\SE4 ,COLOR$ FOLKS 9
! H\SE HE>+ ALL K9D ( TALK B\T :AT ,MAS
,WATSON [E4 ,WE SC>$ = \RVS4
  ,TAILOR A9T -E BACK TILL LATE4 ,:AT
YALL WAIT+ ON ME = HE SAY4 ,HE LOOK AT !
GR.D & SPIT4 ,MAS ,WATSON A9T FREE NO-
BODY B HISSELF HE SAY4 ,! RE/ ( U GONNA
2 FREE 9 HELL4
  ,WE ALL SICK !N4 ,JIM SAY DONT WORRY
:AT"E HAPP5 WE GONNA 2 TGR4 ,HE SAY HE
SE5 X4 ,B A9T NOBODY 9 ! CAB9S       #IC
SLEEP T NI<T4 ,"S ( U FI<TS ALL NI<T4
,"S ( U PRAYS & S+S4
  ,MY ,"L HE CALL ME 0! ?"U4 ,! TRUMPET
S.D )9 MY S\L4 ,I A9T GOTS L;G 6/AY "H4
  ,9 ! MORN+ ,TAILOR ORD] U 6DU/ \RSELF
(F4 ,NOBODY WANT A DIRTY NI7] HE SAY4
  ,!Y SELL U )! FURNITURE4 ,FOLKS WAIL+
& MOAN+4 ,F/ !Y SELL (F ! PL[S & WAGONS4
,!N !Y SELL ! HORSES & PIGS4 ,WE ALL
%IV]+ NE> ! /A#S4 ,FOLKS GOT PEE RUNN+
D[N !Y LEGS4 ,FRO/ ON ! GR.D & WE A9T
GOTS NO %OES4 ,:ITE FOLKS -E ALL BUNDLE
UP 6LOOK AT U4 ,MO/ ( !M A9T GOT M"OY =
SLAVES4 ,!Y "! =! PLATES &! SILV]4
  ,!Y CALL U 96! CUR+ B>N4 ,LESS ?AN
TW5TY ( U ALT4 ,I CL+S 6MY *N4 ,LIZBE?
CANT HE> B %E "K :AT "EYBODY SAY+4 ,%E
HOLD+ ONTO MY SKIRT4 ,JONNIE A9T "K HE
B\T 6BE SOLD4 ,8 EYES R1L D>K & BIG4 ,M
:ITE FOLKS ?AN HE "E SE54
  ,MISS ,WATSON A9T -E 6! SALE4 ,%E HIDE
UP 9 ! H\SE4
  ,I "KS "S ( !M :ITES CAUSE ,I D"O DOC-
TORS !M4 ,I HOPES "O ( !M TAKE P;Y ON ME
& BUY ME ) MY FAMILY4                #ID
  ,WE LOOK+ "EY": = ,JIM4 ,CANT F9DS HM
NO":4 ,!Y SELL+ ,MAS DESK & B$4 ,WE NEXT
ON ! BLOCK4 ,?ATS :5 ,I FALLS 6! FLOOR4
,JIM A9T GO+ ) U4 ,MISS ,WATSON DECIDE
6KEEP HM4 ,A PRES5T F H] DA4Y4 ,%E GOT
HM LOCK UP "S": TILL ! SALE OV]4 ,!N %E
GONNA TAKE HM ) H] 6H] SI/]S PLACE 9
T[N4
  ,!Y C>RY (F ! FURNITURE4 ,N[ ! :OLE
PLACE G QUIET4
  ,WE GOTS "S F9E NI7]S "H4 ,BE/ 9 !
C.TY4 ,E "O ( !M S.D4 ,/R;G & HE>TY4
,MAS ,WATSON A GD ,*RI/IAN MAN4 ,HE FE$
8 NI7]S SALT PORK & LET !M GR[ !Y [N
GRE5S4 ,F/ "O WE GOT "H ,EMMA4 ,%E "W
H>D Z ANY MAN4
  ,EMMA CRY \ :5 %E HE> H] "N4
  ,MAS ,/EV5S -E UP 9 ! BACK (! CR[D4
,HE SITT+ ON 8 HORSE 9 8 HI< BOOTS4
  ,H[ M* Y WANT = !M OX5 ! F>M & ALL !
NI7]S HE SAY4
  ,A9T A S.D 9 ! ROOM :5 HE SAY T4
  ,!N ,EMMA />T 6SCR1M4 ,CORA JO9 9
MOAN+4 ,!N ALL U WOM5 WAILS L WE 9
,AFRICA4 ,MAS ,/EV5S FIRE 8 GUN4     #IE
,I GIVES Y TW5TY ?\S& DOLL>S HE SAY4
  ,SOLD4
  ,T NI<T ! M\RN+ S;GS PASS F CAB9 6CAB-
IN4 ,NOBODY SLEEP T NI<T4 ,LIZBE? &
,JONNIE ASK ME ": !Y DA4Y4 ,:Y HE A9T "H
)! RE/ ( U4
  ,HE "S": SAFE ,I SAYS4 ,HE GONNA -E &
/1L U AWAY4
  ,I TURNS 6! WALL :5 ,I SAYS X4 ,"EY":
! WALL PAT* ) BLACK WALNUT T>4 ,I />ES
AT ! WALL L ,I TRY+ 6F9D A WAY \4
  ,T NI<T MY KNIFE -E BACK4 ,CORA ! "O
GOT X ALL L;G4
  ,:AT Y WANT ) MY KNIFE ,I ASKS H]4
  ,Y B\T 6HURT "SBODY Y LOVE4 ,?ATS :Y
,I TAKES X %E SAY4 ,T KNIFE = H1L+4 ,Y
GONNA NE$ T KNIFE ": Y GO+4 ,MAKE SURE Y
PUT X 6GD USE4
  ,CORA N"E MAKE X 6,MAS ,/EV5S PLACE4
,%E DIE 9 A FIT :ILE ! RE/ ( U GA!R+ \R
?+S4 ,WE BURIES H] 9 ! ,WATSONS GRAVE-
Y>D4 ,WE HURRIES 6LAY ! TOBA3O L1F OV]
H] BODY & COV]S H] )! GR.D4 ,JIM PUT TWO
PIECES ( LIME/"O =A M>K]4
  ,FOLKS TRY 6TAKE :AT LL FURNI-     #IF
TURE !Y HAS4 ,B ,MAS ,/EV5S SAY 6L1VE X4
,WE GOTS "EY?+ Y NE$ HE SAY4 ,HE TELL
,BANES 6M>* U OV] 6HIS PLACE4
  ,BANES SMELL ( :ISKEY4 ,FOLKS SAY 8
JOB 6B1T U 6D1? & KEEP ,MAS ,/EV5S 9
:ISKEY4 ,BANES ORD] "S ( ,MAS ,/EV5S
NI7]S 6BURN \R CAB9S4 ,FOLKS SO2+ N[4
,GR[N FOLKS SO2+ L *N 6SEE !Y CAB9S
BURN4
  ,I CANT LOOKS4 ,I KEEPS ! FIRES AT MY
BACK4 ,I PU%ES ! *N ON AH1D ( ME4 ,AT
,MAS ,/EV5S PLACE ! *N TOIL L;GSIDE !Y
P>5TS4 ,NOBODY WAT* OV] !M4 ,LIZBE? CRY
Z WE WALK4 ,%E ?9K+ ( ,CORA ,I SPECTS4
  ,CORA 9 A BETT] PLACE ,I SAYS4 ,& SOON
WE GONNA 2 TOO4 ,I "KS %E CANT HE> ME B
%E TAKE MY H&4 ,%E ALL ! WAY TRY 6MAKE
ME FEEL BETT]4
  ,MAS ,/EV5S WAIT+ = U ON 8 HORSE4 ,I
SC>$ :5 ,I LOOKS AT HM4 ,I SC>$ ( 8
BOOTS4 ,8 BOOTS & 8 CANE4 ,ALL ^! YE>S
LAT] ,I / FEELS T CANE PU%+ ME F 2H4
  ,I DONT WANTS MY *N 6"K ,I SC>$ S ,I
LOOKS UP 9/1D ( D[N :5 HE TALK 6U4 ,HE
LOOK AT ME TOO4 ,I A9T "KS IF HE     #IG
REMEMB] ME B ,I REMEMB]S HM4
  ,HE %[ U ! CAB9S4 ,Y GONNA D\# UP HE
SAY4 ,T M1N HE GONNA PUT U 9 ) 8 NI7]S4
,!Y A9T NO?+ B SK9 & B"OS & !Y LOOK+ AT
U L WE MAKES A GD M1L4 ,Y ?9K Y "S?+4 ,Y
A9T NO?+ N[4 ,?ATS :AT !Y EYES 2 SAY+4
  ,! CAB9S FULL ( HOLES4 ,MAS ,/EV5S A9T
GIVE !M NO PAP] 6PAT* ! HOLES4 ,HE PUT
ME & ,LIZBE? & ,JONNIE 9 ) 8 COOK4
  ,MAS ,/EV5S COOK "N ,=TUNE4 ,HE SAY HE
"N H] T CAUSE ?ATS :AT %E CO/ HM4 ,%E
A9T "K B\T COOK+ & ,MAS A9T GIVE H] NO?+
6COOK )4 ,H] R1L "W MAK+ BABIES4 ,%E L
6BE BIG4 ,MAS LET H] -E 9 \ ! FIELDS :5
%E WANT4 ,ANY"T B HI< SUMM]4 ,%E GOT 6"W
!N BIG OR N4 ,S F> %E GIVE ,MAS SEV5 *N4
,SOON Z !Y C "W ,MAS SELL !M (F4
  ,"O "D ,I ASKS ,=TUNE :Y %E A9T USE NO
H]B 6KEEP ,MAS AWAY F H]4
  ,%E LOOK AT ME L ,I CRAZY4 ,:AT ,I
WANTS 6KEEP ,MAS AWAY = %E SAY4 ,I [NS
,MAS4 ,I EATS ,MAS ALIVE %E SAY4 ,I
TAKES "EY?+ HE GOT !N ,I WIPES HM AWAY4
,:ITE ! EASIE/ COLOR 6WIPE AWAY 9 ? _W4
,EASIE/ ?+ 6GET RID (4 ,ALL Y GOT    #IH
6D IS MIX X UP ) "S?+ ELSE4 ,SOON !Y
GONNA 2 M & M ( U4 ,& WE GONNA 2 ! MAS &
! MISS4 ,%E LAU< :5 %E SAY X4
  ,I A9T LAU<S ) H]4 ,IF Y [NS ,MAS ,I
SAYS :Y Y LET HM SELL ALL YR *N AWAY F
Y4
  ,%E MAD N[4 ,I A9T NO FOOL %E SAY4 ,I
MAKES HM SELL !M4 ,:AT ,I WANTS !M 6/AY
"H =4 ,I MAKES HM FE$ !M & SELL !M4 ,WE
EAT+ M1T :ILE ALL Y NI7]S EAT+ CORNP"O4
,I MAKES SURE ,MAS A9T SELL MY *N 6NO
TRAD]S4 ,!Y ALL GOT 6/AY NE> 6ME4 ,! LL
"OS G 6! LAUNDRESS OR ! S1M/RESS4 ,:5 !Y
BI7] !Y G 6! FACTORY4 ,*NS F+]S GD =
ROLL+ !M CIG>S4 ,! BIG BOYS "W ! QU>RY4
,! GIRLS HIRE ON 9 ! %OPS4 ,I SEES !M AT
! HOLI"D4 ,!Y -E BACK & VISIT !Y OLD MA-
MA !Y D4 ,"O ( ^! "DS !Y GONNA -E & /1L
ME AWAY4 ,:AT YR *N GONNA D = Y4
  ,I ?9KS ( MY *N & ,I %AM$4 ,ALL !Y GOT
6EAT IS CORNM1L4 ,ANY?+ ELSE GOT 6-E F
\R G>D54 ,MAS "W U S H>D WE B>ELY GOTS
"T 6"W = \RVS4 ,I GIVES MY *N TURNIP
ROOT & TURNIP GRE5S4 ,!Y F9D B]RIES4
,LIZBE? CAT* A FI%4 ,B ALL ! "T WE   #II
LOOK+ = M1T4 ,MAS DONT LET U KEEP GUNS
6HUNT4 ,& HE DONT LET U KEEP PIGS &
*ICK5S4 ,ANY M1T ON ! PLACE HIS4 ,LA/
NI7] KILL A *ICK5 _H 6EAT X :ILE X /
W>M4 ,H1D F/4 ,F1!RS & ALL4
  ,I LOOKS =! "O EYE WOMAN ,I SE5 :5 ,I
F/ -ES 6,MAS ,/EV5S PLACE4 ,I A9T SEES
H] NO":S4 ,I FIGURES %E L;G D1D4 ,%E
NO?+ B B"OS !N4 ,N[ ,I TWICE Z OLD S %E
M/ 2 TWICE Z D1D4
  ,U SLAVES F ,MAS ,WATSONS PLACE "WS
FA/] & BETT] ?AN ! O!RS4 ,B SOON WE />TS
6SL[ D[N4 ,! "W ! SAME B A9T NO?+ 6EAT4
,! *N S HUNGRY !Y CRY ALL ! "T4 ,!N !Y
/OP CRY+ ALT4 ,J MOAN & BITE !Y LIPS4
  ,F/ WEEK ON ! PLACE ,TAILOR RUN (F4
,SAY HE A9T GONNA "W = ,MAS ,/EV5S & HE
SURE A9T GONNA "W = ,BANES4 ,HE G"O A
L;G "T =E !Y F9D HM4 ,:5 !Y BR+ HM \ !
WOODS HE GOT A WILD LOOK 9 8 EYE4 ,BANES
PUT HM 9 ! /OCK & :IP HM TILL HE D1D4
,EV5 ! :ITE FOLKS SAY ,MAS ,/EV5S CRAZY4
,KILL+ A NI7] HE C SELL = GD M"OY4
  ,I L;GS = ,JIM B ,I A9T WANTS ,MAS
,/EV5S 6CAT* SI<T ( HM4 ,HE BETT]   #AJJ
(F ) ,MISS ,WATSON4 ,%E SEE ! VALUE 9
HM4 ,MAS ,/EV5S SEE ! MAN4 ,HE GOT 6B1T
,JIM D[N TILL HE A BOY4 ,A9T NO M5S "W =
,MAS ,/EV5S4 ,I SC>$ HE GONNA KILL ,JIM
IF HE -E R.D4 ,J L HE LET ,BANES KILL
,TAILOR4
  ,B ,JIM A9T SC>$4 ,HE -E 6ME "O NI<T
SK9 ALL %9Y ) SW1T4 ,HE BE5 RUNN+ L HE
RUNN+ F <O/S4
  ,": ,=TUNE HE SAY4
  ,%E SLEEP+ ) ,MAS4 ,ONLY "T %E A9T
SLEEP+ ) ,MAS :5 %E HAV+ 8 BABY4
  ,MISS ,WATSON AT A CAMP MEET+ HE SAY4
,ALL ! :ITES OV] AT ! CAMP MEET+4 ,EV5
,MAS ,/EV5S4 ,ALL ! GD ,*RI/IAN :ITES &!
BAD "OS TOO4 ,"S ! NI7]S EV5 "!4 ,HE>+
B\T N SP>+ ! ROD4 ,HE LAU<4
  ,GOT 8 HAT 9 8 H&4 ,9SIDE HE GOT !
BALL (A OX4 ,SAY HE -E CROSS ! OX 9 !
BRAM#4 ,HE RECOGNIZE X Z ,MAS ,WATSONS
OX4 ,MAS ,/EV5S D"O HALF />VE X4 ,JIM
SAY IF HE A9T -E CROSS X ! OX BLE$ 6D1?
S9CE "O ( 8 BALLS HANG+ (F 8 H9D4 ,JIM
TAKE 8 KNIFE & CUT X FREE4 ,QK CUT 6/OP
! BLOOD4 ,MUD 6COV] ! W.D4 ,!N HE   #AJA
GET A /ICK & B1T ! OX BACK 6! F>M4 ,B F/
HE LET X FE$ ON D&ELION GRE5S4
  ,HE WANT ME 6TAKE ! BALL & COOK X ON !
FIRE4 ,IF HE EAT X HE GET ! /R5G? ( T5
M5S4
  ,I A9T COOK+ NO?+ TN ,I SAYS4 ,CANT Y
SEE ! *N ALR ASLEEP4 ,:AT Y ?9K ! SMELL
( M1T GONNA D 6!M4 ,=E Y "K X ,JONNIE
GONNA 2 %\T+ B\T 8 DA4Y HOME4 ,& ,BANES
GONNA -E OV] "H ) 8 :IP4 ,Y HU% N[ & LAY
D[N4
  ,I MAKES HM A LL PALLET NEXT 6M9E B ,I
A9T WANTS HM 6T\* ME4 ,X MI<T HURT TOO
M*4 ,WEEKS N[ ,I A9T FEELS 8 T\*4 ,CANT
/&S 6FEEL HM =A NI<T !N N F9D HM 9 !
MORN+4
  ,HE HONOR MY WI%ES B ,I SEES HE SAD4
,:5 HE G 6L1VE ,I HOLDS ONTO HM4 ,I FE>S
HE A9T -+ BACK S ,I />TS 6CRY4 ,JIM SAY
HE BETT] G =E !Y MISS HM AT ! CAMP
MEET+4
  ,HE -E ?REE M "TS4 ,EA* "T HE BR+ U "S
M1T4 ,HE BL[ ON ! *N & WAKE !M UP "R =E
HE L1VE4 ,I OP5S 6HM AG4 ,I W1K & ,I
OP5S4 ,HE HOLD ME L HE C>RY+ A      #AJB
SE$L+4 ,I CRIES CAUSE ,I "KS ,I CANT
KEEPS HM4
  ,=A L;G "T ,I A9T SE5 HM4 ,E NI<T ,I
LI/5S = 8 :I/LE4 ,"O NI<T MY S\L H1VY L
! "D HE BORN4 ,I SEES 8 MAMA & MY MAMA
TOO4 ,I ?9KS ( 8 CORD "UN1? T :ITE OAK4
,I SEES MY H& CUTT+ 8 CORD ) MY MAMAS
KNIFE4 ,I HIDES MY FACE4
  ,X RA9+ H1VY B ,I "KS 9 MY B"OS ,JIM
-+ 6ME4 ,I S5DS ! *N 6SLEEP ) ,EMMA4 ,!Y
DONT NE$S 6HE> ! ?+S M5 & WOM5 D :5 !Y
L;G = :AT !Y CANT KEEP4
  ,JIM -E 6ME )A FIVE C5T PIECE R.D 8
NECK4 ,SAY HE TOOK X F "S :ITE BOYS TO
KEEP ! DEVIL AT BAY4 ,SAY ! DEVIL ROAM+
ALL R.D ,HANNIBAL LOOK+ 6SNAT* A NI7] L
HM & SELL HM D[N ! RIV]4 ,B T CO9 HE TIE
R.D 8 NECK GONNA KEEP HM TI$ 6!M BOYS 9
T[N4 ,S HE CANT N"E 2 SOLD AWAY F "H4
  ,I NE$S Y = MY OLD AGE ,I SAYS4 ,ME &!
*N NE$S Y4
  ,HE A9T GO+ NO": HE TELL ME4 ,Y GOT
"S?+ 2L;G 6"SBODY ELSE !Y A9T GONNA LET
Y G TILL !Y GET X BACK4 ,?ATS :Y ,I GOTS
? FIVE C5T PIECE R.D MY NECK4       #AJC
  ,Y GOT MY HE>T 2L;G 6ME ,I SAYS4
  ,Y A9T N"E GONNA LOSE ME HE SAY4
  ,Y LOVE T HAT M ?AN Y LOVE ME ,I SAYS4
,Y SOON] "P ) ME ?AN T HAT4
  ,HE LAU< 8 GD /R;G LAU<4 ,I SC>$ "O (
,MAS ,/EV5S NI7]S MI<T HE> U4 ,!N HE
KISS ME & ,I A9T ?9K+ B\T !M4
  ,IF Y LOVE ME Y L1VE ME T HAT4
  ,HE LOOK AT ME ALL S]I\S4 ,T HAT A9T
NO?+ 6ME HE SAY4 ,HE GRAB X & RUN \ !
DOOR 96! RA94 ,-E BACK ) X FULL UP ) WA-
T]4 ,TRY+ 6HOLD X S HE A9T SPILL N"O B
WAT] SPILL+ ALL OV] ! CL1N DIRT FLOOR4
  ,N[ ,I ! "O LAU<+4 ,I A9T ASKS Y = NO
WAT] ,I SAYS4
  ,B Y NE$ "S HE SAY4 ,SITT+ UP 9 "H ALL
HOT & BO!R 9 FRONT ? FIRE L Y A9T GOT NO
"T = YR HUSB&4 ,HE SURE 6BE B1T = -+ TO
SEE Y & Y ACT L HE A MAN FREE 6-E & G Z
HE PL1SE4
  ,HE PULL ME D[N 6HM4 ,B ! M HE T\* ME
! M ,I CRIES4 ,AF A:ILE HE FALL SLEEP4
,I /AYS AWAKE WAT*+ ! FIRE BURN XF \4
  ,:5 ! FIRE G \ ,I GETS UP & FEELS = 8
HAT4 ,I ALL ! WAY WAKES HM =E !     #AJD
BELL S.D & =E ,I LI<T ! MORN+ FIRE4 ,B ?
"T ,I CANT /&S 6?9K ( HM G"O & ME ) NO?+
( 8 SMELL4 ,I TAKES 8 HAT & CUTS A LL
PIECE (F X ) MY KNIFE4 ,A ?REE PO9T
PIECE4
  ,I GETS ! FIRE GO+ AG & LAYS BACK D[N4
,=E ,I "KS X ! BELL R++4 ,I WAKES UP 9 A
F"R4 ,JIM / AT MY SIDE4
  ,BANES WAIT+ = HM ? "T4 ,HE TIE ,JIM
HISSELF4 ,JIM A9T FI<T4
  ,JONNIE RUN \ 96! Y>D4 ,HE GO+ /RAI<T
= 8 DA4Y4 ,I PULLS HM BACK & HOLDS HM
CLOSE 6ME4
  ,:AT Y NI7]S LOOK+ AT ,BANES SAY4 ,G
ON 6! FIELDS =E ,I B1TS Y ALL4
  ,I MAKES ,LIZBE? & ,JONNIE WALK 9
FRONT ( ME4
  ,BANES WANT 6HURT HM4 ,SAY !Y A9T _M
/RIPES ON ,JIMS BACK4 ,IF Y 0 MY NI7] ,I
J Z SOON KILL Y HE SAY4 ,WE HE>S ! :IP
BR1K+ B WE KEEPS WALK+4
  ,WE A9T SEES OR HE>S NO?+ ( ,JIM AF T4
  ,E "D ,I WORRIES M4 ,MY *E/ HURT ,I S
L"OLY = HM4 ,! *N GR[ W1K CAUSE !Y A9T
GOT !Y DA4Y 6BR+ !M M1T4            #AJE
  ,"O MORN+ ,EMMA WAKE ME UP 6TELL ME
,JIM RUN (F4 ,AT F/ ,I A9T 2LIEVES X4 ,I
"KS MY ,JIM4 ,HE A9T GONNA RUN )\T -+ =
ME &! *N4 ,B ,EMMA SAY HE D"O RUN (F )\T
U4
  ,HM & ME WE TALKS B\T RUNN+ ! LA/ "T
WE TGR4 ,CANT L1VES ! *N ) ,MAS ,/EV5S
WE SAYS4 ,NO TELL+ :AT GONNA HAPP5 6!M4
,JONNIE J A LL BOY B ,LIZBE? ALR )! WOM-
5S4 ,!Y PL5TY OLD 6RUN4 ,S ,I "KS X A9T
TRUE T ,JIM G"O (F )\T U4
  ,I A9T 2LIEVE X TILL ! PATROLL]S -E
R.D4 ,!Y GOT !Y DOGS & !Y LOOK+ = ,JIM4
  ,HE BE5 "H A9T HE4
  ,I A9T SE5 HM ,I SAYS4
  ,!Y ?R[ ME ON ! GR.D 9 FRONT ( MY *N4
,Y LY+ NI7]4
  ,!Y TAKE \ ! :IP4
  ,I GOTS NO?+ 6TELL Y4
  ,!Y />T HITT+ ME4
  ,X RA9+ T "D TOO4 ,BE5 RA9+ A L;G "T4
,R.D ! CAB9S A9T NO?+ B MUD4 ,I LAY+
FACE D[N 9 ! MUD &! MUD FEEL COOL GA9/
MY SK94 ,I ?9KS ( MYF FACE D[N 9 ! RIV]4
,SWALL[ UP 0!M MU4Y WAT]S4          #AJF
  ,JONNIE SCR1M+4 ,HE GRAB HOLD 6,EMMA4
,I CANT SEES ,LIZBE?4 ,%E HID+ L ,I ALL
! WAY TELLS H] TO4
  ,!Y PUT ! DOGS ON ME4 ,!Y B>K+ & SNIF-
F+4 ,I C SEES !Y GUMS4 ,I COV]S MY H1D4
,I CANT HE>S NO?+ CEPT ! B>K+ 9 MY E>S4
  ,!N ! GUN G (F4 ,! PATROLL]S CALL !
DOGS BACK4 ,MAS ,/EV5S -E SEE :ATS GO+
ON4
  ,Y L1VE MY NI7] L"O HE SAY4 ,I TAKES
C>E ( H]4 ,HE /AMP 8 CANE ON ! GR.D4
  ,TWO NI7]S PICK ME UP & DRAG ME 6!
PACKH\SE4 ,QUIET 9 "!4 ,! TOBA3O / L[ 9
! FIELDS & "EY?+ J WAT*+ & WAIT+4 ,!Y
TIE ME UP )A LOOP+ /ICK "U MY KNEES4
  ,MY >MS PULL BACK 2H ME4 ,MY B"OS
/RET* L;G L ! LIMBS ON A SYCAMORE4 ,"L
,I 2 PA94 ,& :AT !Y DO+ ) MY *N4
  ,I TRIES 6SLEEP B XS H>D 6LET MYF FALL
AWAY4 ,I ?9KS ,I A9T N"E GONNA -E BACK4
,I CLOSE MY EYES :5 ,I CANT KEEPS !M OP5
B ,I A9T "KS SLEEP4 ,MY ?ROAT S P>*$ ,I
CANT CRIES \ IF ,I WANTS TO4 ,! BLOOD F
! B1T+ /ICK+ 6MY BACK4 ,! MUD / ON MY
FACE4 ,I TRIES 6HOLD ON CAUSE ,I    #AJG
CANT L1VES MY *N4 ,N L ?4 ,I WANTS !M TO
SEE ME /R;G AG4
  ,"DS =E !Y LETS ME \ ! PACKH\SE4 ,:5
!Y OP5 ! DOOR !Y F9D ME PASS \4
  ,I -ES 6IN ! FIELDS4 ,I SC>$ !Y ALR
F9D ,JIM4 ,& !Y TAK+ ME \ S ,I C SEES 8
%AME4
  ,B NOBODY SAY NO?+ B\T ,JIM4 ,!Y LET
ME \ 6T5D ! CROP4
  ,MY DRESS /ICK 6MY BACK ) BLOOD4 ,MY
>MS A*+ B\T 6FALL (F4 ,BANES PU% ME 6G
FA/]4 ,HE SAY ,I A9T SE5 NO?+ YET4 ,LIZ-
BE? -E ) "S WAT]4 ,I B5DS D[N & ,I CANT
GETS UP4 ,%E LOOK AT ME ALL SORR[;L4 ,%E
DIP H] F+] 9 ! WAT] & PUT X 6MY LIPS4 ,I
CA/S MY EYES D[N S %E "K 6TURN AWAY =E
,BANES -E AF H]4
  ,T NI<T %E PUT ! GR1SE ON ME & PULL !
DRESS (F MY BACK4 ,I TOO W1K 6SCR1M4 ,X
HURT MY DAU<T] 6SEE ME ? WAY4 ,:AT K9D (
LIFE %E GONNA FACE N[ H] DA4Y G"O4
  ,I DR1MS B\T DOGS4 ,9 MY DR1MS ,I SEES
,JIM RUNN+ F DOGS4 ,HE 9 ! WOODS FALL+
OV] BRAN*ES & ROOTS4 ,HE FALL+ TRY+ 6F9D
8 WAY 6! RIV]4 ,HE SWIM ! RIV]4     #AJH
,! RIV] PULL HM D[N & WA% HM UP ON "O (
!M ISL&S4 ,! HUNT]S & WOODCUTT]S -E AF
HM4 ,I WAKES UP 9 A SW1T ) !M DOGS AT MY
HEELS4
  ,JONNIE SLEEP+ 9 ! CORN]4 ,HE %AK+ )A
*ILL S ,I COV]S HM ) MY QUILT4 ,HE /OP
TALK+ ,JONNIE4 ,! PATROLL]S BE5 R.D AG4
,!Y SC>E HM S BAD HE CANT SP1K4 ,L !Y
D"O CUT ! T;GUE \ 8 M\?4 ,LIZBE? A9T
SP1K M* ANYMORE4 ,S ,I GOT TWO *N QUIET
L ! MOON4 ,QUIET & HUNGRY L ! MOON4
  ,RA9+ AG4 ,MAYBE !Y A9T F9D MY ,JIM
CAUSE (! RA9S4 ,I ?9KS ( HM ) 8 HAT ON 8
H1D4 ,OR MAYBE HE TAKE X (F & USE X TO
CAT* RA9WAT]4 ,L;G Z ,I C ?9KS ( HM 9 T
HAT ,I 2LIEVES HE SAFE & ON 8 WAY 6FREE-
DOM4
  ,S :5 !Y F9D 8 HAT FLOAT+ 9 ! RIV] ,I
"KS MY ,JIM RE,Y D1D4 ,HAT COV] 9 MUD F
! RIV]4 ,LL PIECE MISS+4
  ,JIMS HAT FLOAT+ 9 ! ,MISSISSIPPI4
,?ATS ALL ! PRO( ANYBODY NE$4 ,T NI7]
DR[N HISSELF4 ,NI7] N"E )\T 8 HAT4
,SOON] OR LAT] 8 H1D GONNA -E LOOK+ = X4