The Emancipation Car :: :: University of Virginia Library

With axe in hand, I went to work,
My strength being all my riches;
I had but one old worn out coat,
And two old pairs of breeches.
I prayed to God both night and day,
That he would ever guide me,
That from the right and perfect way,
No hardships would divide me.
I looked on high for a rich supply,
And asked God for his blessings,
For grace to stand at his right hand,
And strength to get my lessons.

My mind had run at large so long,
I found it quite a trial
To bring my haughty spirit down
To so much self-denial;
But I resolved with all my heart,
To learn or perish trying.
For as I this had made a start,

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I could not think of flying.
With two strong hands,
I would clear the land,
And make the old trees rattle;
Come home at night,
Strike up the light,
And then renew the battle.

I was sometimes up and sometimes down,
And sometimes on the level,
Beset with trials all around,
The world, the flesh and devil;
I thought I would prepare myself
To teach my sable nation;
And would not turn to right nor left
From my first calculation.
So on I would start,
With hand and heart,
And head all set in order
To persevere,
From year to year,
But never reach its border.

I was brought up a farmer's son,
That make all things come handy,
To any work my hands I turned,
But could not act the Dandy.
My labor made my food digest,
Digestion made me healthy,
With mental strength I was richly blessed
And thus I felt quite neatly.

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I ploughed and mowed,
And reaped and sowed,
I washed and cooked quite handy;
I would fence and ditch
For the poor or rich,
And drive old Buck and Handy.