Lyr Add: Hail! Ye Afric Clan! (War of 1812)

Subject: Lyr Add: Hail! Ye Afric Clan! (War of 1812)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 11:53 AM

While doing some research on poems and songs from the War of 1812, I've run across this interesting protest song sung by "secret Black slave organizations:"
^^
Composed during War of 1812

Hail! Ye Afric Clan!

Hail! all hail! ye Afric clan!
Hail! ye oppressed, ye Afric band!
Who toil and sweat in slavery bound! (repeat)

And when your health and strength are gone,
Are left to hunger and to mourn.
Let Independence be your aim,
Ever mindful what 'tis worth;
Pledge your bodies for the prize,
Pile them even to the skies!

Chorus:

Firm, united let us be,
Resolved on death or liberty!
As a band of patriots joined,
Peace and plenty we shall find.
Look to heaven with manly trust,
And swear by Him that's always just,
That no white foe, with impious hands!
Shall slave your wives and daughters no more,
Or rob them of their virtue dear!
Be armed with valour firm and true,
Their hopes are fixed on Heaven and you,
That Truth and Justice will prevail. (repeat)

Arise! arise! shake off your chains!
Your cause is just, so Heaven ordains;
To you shall freedom be proclaimed! (repeat)

Raise your arms and bare your breasts,
Almighty God will do the rest.
Blow the clarion's warlike blast;
Call every negro from his task;
Wrest the scourge from Buckra's hand,
And drive each tyrant from the land! (CHO)


Notes from: (http://www.galafilm.com/1812/e/people/songs_amer_songs2.html)

From Songs and Poems from War of 1812

This Hymn was sung at the opening and closing of the meetings of a secret black slave organisation during the War of 1812. (There were several such secret organisations at the time of the War of 1812. Many were on the East Coast of the United States where the British blockaded and often raided, and occasionally issued proclamations designed to promote, if not outright slave rebellions, at the very least enough dissatisfaction to incite a good many slaves to run off and join the British navy and marines.)

Charley Noble