There are still about 2 million Native Americans (I think "Indigenous Americans" is a more accurate term) in the U. S. to sing for themselves. Fortunately, and no credit to the people who wiped the others out. Of course, there are a number of tribes with nobody left.

I looked again at the lyrics of "Old Black Joe" again, especially the third verse, and I can see what you're talking about, Barry. The word "free" is particularly ironic. I still think it can be performed with some disclaimer such as, "This song was written about slaves, but a lot of it has nothing to do with the slave experience (except that undoubtedly some slaves did look forward to death). On the other hand, the song still means something to people whose hearts were 'happy and free', so we still like to sing it."