"We Are But Humble Singers." The Song of the Hamilton Family
Dublin Core
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MUSIC AND WORDS BY ROBERT HAMILTON.
Solo No. 1.—to be sung by James M'Cune Smith.
If I were a speaker,
And ready with the tongue,
I'd raise my voice in every landTo deprecate all wrong.
Like Brongham and O'Connell,Or he of silvery voice,
Our Phillips, or great Cheever,Would freemen's hearts rejoice.
Chorus by the Family.—
We are but humble singers,
Bt to the world we'll go,
And tell to men of every climePoor Afric's talk of wo.
And then we'll chant the blessingsFair Liberty doth bring,
This glorious strain of freedomIs now the first we'll sing.
"Viva l'America"—In which the audience will please join.
Solo No. 2.—To be sung by Robert Ezekiel.—
If I were a soldier,
Call'd to the battle field,
To fight our country's direct foes,My sword I'd never yield
Till every infamous SouthronWho, steep'd in infamy,
Would sell us to aristocrats,Were driven in the sea.
Chorus.—We are but humble singers.
But to the world we'll go,
And tell to men of every climePoor Afric's tale of wo.
And then we'll chant the blessingsFair Liberty doth bring,
This second song of FreedomWe'll now begin to sing.
Chorus for the audience:—
"My country 'tis of thee," &c.
Solo No. 3.—To be sung by Fanny Jane.
If I were a teacher,
To gentle youth I'd turn,
And on their bright green memoriesThe words of Freedom burn.
To each her glorious standard,In God's great name would give,
That they in coming manhoodMight bear it high, and live.
Chorus:—
We are but humble singers,
But to the world we'll go,
And tell to men of every climePoor Afric's tale of wo.
And then we'll chant the blessingsFair Liberty doth bring:
This is the third glad p[?]We now begin to sing.
Chorus for the audience—
"The Marsellaise Hymn."
Solo No. 4—By Mary Adelphine.—
If I were a writer
With ready thought and pen,
In words of burning eloquenceTo all the hearts of men,
Would call in accents gentle,O'er woodland, lake , and sea,
Rise! strike the chain from every slave!Let man o'er earth be free!
Chorus:—
We are but humble singers,
But to the world we'll go,
And tell to men of every climePoor Afric's tale of wo.
And then we'll chant the blessingsFair Liberty doth bring:
This is the fourth grand chorusWhich now we'll try to sing.
Chorus for the audience:—
"O Columbia! the gen of the ocean."
Solo No. 5.—By Adelline Matilda.
If I were a player,
Alive to glorious fame,
I would perform these charactersWhere Freedom hath a name.
I'd cull from our own author,Whose flowers forever bloom;
And hold to nature's mirror.The house of "Uncle Tom."
Chorus:—
We are but humble singers,
But to the world we'll go,
And tell to men of every climePoor Afric's tale of wo.
And then we'll chant the blessingsFair Liberty doth bring:
And this is the fifth sweet melodyTrumphantly we'll sing
Chorus for the audience:—
"The star spangled banner."
Solo No. 6.—By Olivia Augsts.
If I were a preacher
In Christ's great name I'd stand,
And tell my erring countrymenThat guilt is on our land!
But since I am a mother,My child's first thoughts I'll crown
With memories of our warrior saint;And sing of old John Brown.
Chorus:—
We are but humble singers,
But to the world we'll go,
And tell to men of every climePoor Afric's tale of wo.
And then we'll chant the blessingsFair Liberty doth bring:
And now our sixth in harmonyWe'll all begin to sing.
Chorus for the audience:—
"John Brown's body lies," &c.
Solo No. 7.—By the father.
If I were the President,
And had but legal power,
I'd end this blasting mildewNow resting on our dower.
I'd call to every sireTo pass the vow to son,—
That never more shall slave's foot treadThe land of Washington.
Chorus:—
We are but humble singers,
But to the world we'll go,
And tell to men of every climePoor Afric's tale of wo.
And then we'll chant the blessingsFair Liberty doth bring:
Closing with DoxologiesTo Heav'ns eternal King.
Chorus for all:—
Praise God from whom all blessings, &c."
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