Day of Liberty

The "Good Time Coming" is almost here
It was long, long, long on the way
Now, run and tell Elijah to hurry up, Pomp
And meet us at the gum tree down in the swamp
To wake Nicodemus today

Nicodemus the slave was of African birth
And was bought for a bagful of gold
He was reckoned as part of the salt of the earth
But he died years ago, very old
'Twas his last sad request, so we laid him away
In the trunk of an old hollow tree
"Wake me up," was his charge, "at the first break of day
Wake me up for the great Jubilee!"

Fellas, don't you see the light
The day of liberty's comin', comin'
Almost gone, the gloomy night
The day of liberty's comin'

Heigh-ho, we gladly sing
Loud, loud, our voices ring
Good news, the Lord he bring
Now let my people go, oh

Just you look and see that light
The day of liberty's comin', comin'
Almost gone, the gloomy night
The day of liberty's comin'

The Union folks, they wait so long
We think they never was comin', comin'
And Secesh, he got so strong
We think they never was comin'

Now Uncle Abe, he say
"Come, massa, while you may"
And for the slave, he'll pay
For he must let us go, oh

Just you look and see that light
The day of liberty's comin', comin'
Oh, the blessed, blessed sight
The day of liberty's comin'

He was a prophet, at least, was as wise
For he told of the battles to come
And he trembled with dread, when he rolled up his eyes
And we heeded the shake of his thumb

Yes, he clothed us with fear, yet the garments he wore
Were in patches at elbow and knee
And he still wears the suit that he used to of yore
As he sleeps in the old hollow tree

Just you look and see that light
The day of liberty's comin', comin'
Almost gone, the gloomy night
The day of liberty's comin'

Nicodemus was never the sport of the lash
Though the bullet has oft crossed his path
There were none of his masters so brave or so rash
As to face such a man in his wrath

Yet his great heart with kindness was filled to the brim
He obeyed who was born to command
But he longed for the morning which then was so dim
The morning which now is at hand

Bide folks in this sweet trust
The day of liberty's comin', comin'
The day of liberty's comin'

Yes, yes, we'll fight and sing
Loud, loud, our voices ring
Soon, soon, the mighty king

Just you look and see that light
The day of liberty's comin', comin'
Now we'll help the Yankees fight
The day of liberty's comin'

The day of liberty's comin', comin'
From this dreadful, bloody fight
The day of liberty's comin'

Shout, everyone, shout and sing
Loud, let your voices ring
Soon, soon the mighty king

Just you look and see that light
The day of liberty's comin', comin'
The day of liberty's comin'

'Twas a long weary night, we were almost in fear
That the future was more than he knew
'Twas a long weary night, but the morning is near
And the words of our prophet are true
There are signs in the sky that the darkness is gone
There are tokens in endless array
For when the storm, which has seemingly banished the dawn
Only hastens the advent of day

Just you look and see that light
The day of liberty's comin', comin'
The day of liberty's comin'