The Liberty Minstrel Part 21

GET OFF THE TRACK.

Words by Jesse Hutchinson. Air, "Dan Tucker."

[Music]

Ho! the car Emanc.i.p.ation Rides majestic thro' our nation, Bearing on its train the story, Liberty! a nation's glory.

Roll it along, roll it along, roll it along, thro' the nation, Freedom's car, Emanc.i.p.ation!

Men of various predilections, Frightened, run in all directions; Merchants, editors, physicians, Lawyers, priests, and politicians.

Get out of the way! every station!

Clear the track of 'manc.i.p.ation!

Let the ministers and churches Leave behind sectarian lurches; Jump on board the Car of Freedom, Ere it be too late to need them.

Sound the alarm! Pulpits thunder!

Ere too late you see your blunder!

Politicians gazed, astounded, When, at first, our bell resounded: _Freight trains_ are coming, tell these foxes, With our _votes_ and _ballot boxes_.

Jump for your lives! politicians, From your dangerous, false positions.

Railroads to Emanc.i.p.ation Cannot rest on _Clay_ foundation.

And the _tracks_ of '_The Polk-itian_'

Are but railroads to perdition!

Pull up the rails! Emanc.i.p.ation Cannot rest on such foundation.

All true friends of Emanc.i.p.ation, Haste to Freedom's railroad station; Quick into the cars get seated, All is ready and completed.-- Put on the steam! all are crying, And the liberty flags are flying.

On, triumphant see them bearing, Through sectarian rubbish tearing; The bell and whistle and the steaming, Startle thousands from their dreaming.

Look out for the cars while the bell rings!

Ere the sound your funeral knell rings.

See the people run to meet us; At the depots thousands greet us; All take seats with exultation, In the Car Emanc.i.p.ation.

Huzza! Huzza!! Emanc.i.p.ation Soon will bless our happy nation.

Huzza! Huzza! Huzza!!!

EMANc.i.p.aTION SONG.

Words from the "Bangor Gazette." Air, "Crambambule."

[Music]

Let waiting throngs now lift their voices, As Freedom's glorious day draws near, While every gentle tongue rejoices, And each bold heart is filled with cheer, The slave has seen the Northern star, He'll soon be free, hurrah, hurrah!

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!

Though many still are writhing under The cruel whips of "chevaliers,"

Who mothers from their children sunder, And scourge them for their helpless tears-- Their safe deliv'rance is not far!

The day draws nigh!--hurrah, hurrah!

Just ere the dawn the darkness deepest Surrounds the earth as with a pall; Dry up thy tears, O thou that weepest, That on thy sight the rays may fall!

No doubt let now thy bosom mar: Send up the shout--hurrah, hurrah!

Shall we distrust the G.o.d of Heaven?-- He every doubt and fear will quell; By him the captive's chains are riven-- So let us loud the chorus swell!

Man shall be free from cruel law,-- Man shall be MAN!--hurrah, hurrah!

No more again shall it be granted To southern overseers to rule-- No more will pilgrims' sons be taunted With cringing low in slavery's school.

So clear the way for Freedom's car-- The free shall rule!--hurrah, hurrah!

Send up the shout Emanc.i.p.ation-- From heaven let the echoes bound-- Soon will it bless this franchised nation,-- Come raise again the stirring sound?

Emanc.i.p.ation near and far-- Swell up the shout--hurrah! hurrah!

HARBINGER OF LIBERTY.

Words by a Lady. Music by G.W.C.

[Music]

See yon glorious star ascending, Brightly o'er the Southern sea!

Truth and peace on earth portending, Herald of a jubilee!

Hail it, Freemen! Hail it, Freemen!

'Tis the star of Liberty.

Dim at first--but widely spreading, Soon 'twill burst supremely bright, Life and health and comfort shedding O'er the shades of moral night; Hail it, Bondmen!

Slavery cannot bear its light.

Few its rays--'t is but the dawning Of the reign of truth and peace; Joy to slaves--yet sad forewarning, To the tyrants of our race; Tremble, Tyrants!

Soon your cruel pow'r will cease.

Earth is brighten'd by the glory Of its mild and peaceful rays; Ransom'd slaves shall tell the story, See its light, and sing its praise; Hail it, Christians!

Harbinger of better days.

Light of Truth.

Hark! a voice from heaven proclaiming Comfort to the mourning slave; G.o.d has heard him long complaining, And extends his arm to save; Proud Oppression Soon shall find a shameful grave.

See! the light of truth is breaking, Full and clear on ev'ry hand; And the voice of mercy, speaking, Now is heard through all the land; Firm and fearless, See the friends of Freedom stand!

Lo! the nation is arousing From its slumbers, long and deep; And the church of G.o.d is waking, Never, never more to sleep, While a bondman, In his chains remains to weep.