Cat. #0308 (MFH #582) - As sung by Mrs. Lola Stanley, Fayetteville, Arkansas on December 30, 1958
VERSE 1
I'm as free as th waters that rose at my feet
Or th sickle that glides swiftly by
No master do I fear or dread th auctioneer
Th driver, th lash, I defy
CHORUS:
O, master, I pray thee
Don't come after me
For I can never be your slave any more
I am free from toil and law
Free beneath th lions claw
And he growls if you come near th shore
VERSE 2
And don't you remember th promise that you made
To my Mother, who's long gone to rest
That I should not be sold, for silver nor for gold
As th sun rose from th east to th west
VERSE 3
And don't you remember as soon as she was dead
And th grass had not grown o'er her grave
I was advertised for sale and I might've been in jail
Had I not crossed th bold dashing waves
VERSE 4
And don't you remember th ole towering oak
Where you paid me my last forty-four
How you bowed your haughty head o'er th blood that I shed
But remember, I'll bleed there no more