“Go Down, Moses”

Description

Moses is commissioned to free the Israelites: "Go down, Moses, Way down in Egypt's land. Tell old Pharaoh to let my people go." The firstborn of Egypt are specifically threatened; the rest is more general

Notes

Rev. L. C. Lockwood, described as "Chaplain of the 'Contrabands' at Fortress Munroe," [sic. -- the fort's name was Fort Monroe - RBW] collected the song, reporting that "This Song has been sung for about nine years by the Slaves of Virginia." The original has 11 verses, only a few of which seem to have made it into tradition. - PJS

Moses's specific threat against the firstborn of Egypt is made in Exodus 11:4f. and is carried out in 12:29f. The rest of this song is based loosely on the background in Exodus. - RBW

Recordings

• Marian Anderson, "Go Down Moses" (Victor 19370, 1924) (Victor 1799, 1937)
• Bentley Ball, "Go Down Moses" (Columbia A3085, 1920)
• Big Bethel Choir, "Go Down Moses" (Victor 20498, 1927)
• Charioteers, "Go Down Moses" (Columbia 35718, 1940; rec. 1939)
• Cotton Belt Quartet, "Go Down Moses" (Vocalion 1024, 1926)
• Ebony Three, "Go Down Moses" (Decca 7527, 1938)
• Rev. Fullbosom, "Moses Go Down into Pharoahland" (Paramount 13078, 1931 -- possibly a recorded song/sermon)
• Hampton Institute Quartette, "Go Down Moses" (RCA 27472, 1941)
• Harmonizing Four, "Go Down Moses" (Vee Jay 864, rec. 1958)
• Roland Hayes, "Go Down Moses" (Vocalion 1073, 1927; Vocalion 21002, n.d.; Supertone S-2238, 1931)
• Rev. H. B. Jackson, "Go Down Moses" (OKeh 8804, 1930; rec. 1929)
• Reed Miller, "Go Down, Moses" (CYL: Edison [BA] 3574, n.d.)
• Pete Seeger, "Go Down Moses" (on PeteSeeger31)
• Noble Sissle & his Southland Singers, "Go Down Moses" (Pathe 20488, 1921)
• Southern Sons, "Go Down Moses" (Bluebird B-8808, 1941)
• Edna Thomas, "Go Down, Moses" (Columbia 1606-D, 1928)
• Tuskegee Institute Singers, "Go Down Moses" (Victor 17688, 1915; rec. 1914)
• Tuskegee Quartet, "Go Down Moses" (Victor 20518, 1927; rec. 1926)
• University of North Carolina Club, "Go Down, Moses" (Brunswick 3161, 1926)
• University Singers, "Go Down Moses" (Cameo 530, 1924)
• Virginia Female [Jubilee] Singers, "Go Down Moses in Egyptland" (OKeh 4437, 1921)
• Wheat Street Female Quartet, "Go Down Moses" (Columbia 14067-D, 1925)

References

1. BrownIII 570, "Go Down, Moses" (1 text)
2. Silber-CivWar, pp. 26-27, "Go Down, Moses" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Lomax-FSUSA 109, "Go Down, Moses" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. Courlander-NFM, p. 42, "Go Down, Moses" (partial text)
5. Darling-NAS, pp. 354-355, "O! Let My People Go" (1 text -- an excerpt)
6. Silber-FSWB, p. 294, "Go Down Moses" (1 text)
7. Fuld-WFM, p. 247, "Go Down, Moses"
8. DT, GOMOSES* GOMOSES2*
9. Roud #5434
10. BI, LxU109