My Negro Spiritual

When Israel was in Egypt’s land,
Let My people go!
Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
Let My people go!
Refrain:
Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egypt’s land;
Tell old Pharaoh
To let My people go!
No more shall they in bondage toil,
Let My people go!
Let them come out with Egypt’s spoil,
Let My people go!
Oh, let us all from bondage flee,
Let My people go!
And let us all in Christ be free,
Let My people go!
You need not always weep and mourn,
Let My people go!
And wear these slav’ry chains forlorn,
Let My people go!
Your foes shall not before you stand,
Let My people go!
And you’ll possess fair Canaan’s land,
Let My people go!






This is my addition to the poem, Let My People Go:

We jump for joy, full of glee
Let My people go!

Our prays has finally set us free

Let My people go!





My addition to the spiritual does not change it in anyway, however it continues to add to the story of Moses and the Hebrews that were set free from their slave duties of the Pharaoh ( the Egyptians). Through words, we can create visuals of different situations to show how a character or characters would react. I used the word glee to express how a slave would react during this situation and time that they lived in. The word Glee does not just express happiness; it is also a way of expressing a deep emotion of joy that in some cases would look over exaggerated expression to others because it is an uncontrolled reaction. Words can even express some type of possession or control as well.



While reading this spiritual, the way certain words are place stood out within the lyrics. One thing that stood out was the word “my”. Weirdly, it is capitalizes as if it was a proper noun in the line, “Let My people go”, signaling a sign of special importance of that individual. It shows the importance of Moses and his rescuing the slaves. Even though he does not have divine power, his mission and love for the slaves are so strong that the he (Moses) was able to claim, fight for and even take pride in a group that did not seem to be worth anything compared to the upper class. Since he is the representative of the Hebrews, he understands their struggles and problems that have occurred, which makes him considered them as his own. With this capitalized m in the statement, he makes a declarative statement that signals his order for freedom, justice, and equality for him and the slaves.









The author proves with the story of Moses that words create many visuals and deeper meanings for literary pieces in order for the reader to understand the purpose of the text. With words, you can create vivid expression or a sense of powerful expression and will eventually learn its significance.