Spotswood Rice

Hear them callin' us to rise, over Eden burns the sun
Slowly I climb from that bed of hay, that new day of hardship begun

Bred a slave in West Missouri, cured tobacco I did roll
My wife and daughters owned by another, down the road in Glasgow
It tortures my poor soul

Soon my dear you'll see, these days of darkness end
It may cost my life to set you free, but I'd have you back in my arms again

Mr. Ben'jun feeds us early, then we work til the stars shine high
That lash cracks hard for the sake of time, so modest man's wealth don't run dry

Then I read the words of Abraham, our salvation drawing near
These chains I wear and scars I bear, won't hold me down in fear
It's time I fly from here

Soon my dear you'll see, these days of darkness end
It may cost my life to set you free, but I'd have you back in my arms again

Miss Diggs, you stop my every try, how can a Christian justify
Lord knows, man can't steal his flesh and blood, his own child
The longer you hold them, the longer you'll burn in hell

Now I stand among the Union ranks, His grace is on my side
Come sunrise we'll be at your door, your mistress can no longer hide
From free man's given right

Soon my dear you'll see, these days of darkness end
It may cost my life to set you free, but I'd have you back in my arms again
Now I have you back in my arms again
In my arms again