{
 "id": "frances-ellen-watkins-harper/the-deliverance",
 "title": "The Deliverance",
 "poet": "Frances Ellen Watkins Harper",
 "poet_slug": "frances-ellen-watkins-harper",
 "language": "en",
 "book": "Sketches of Southern Life",
 "book_slug": "sketches-of-southern-life",
 "book_kind": "volume",
 "sequence": 2,
 "container": null,
 "epigraph": null,
 "first_published": {
  "year": 1872,
  "venue": "Sketches of Southern Life (1872)",
  "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.",
  "uncertain": false,
  "sources": [
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  "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)"
 },
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  "last_checked": "2026-08-12"
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  [
   {
    "text": "Master only left old Mistus",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One bright and handsome boy;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But she fairly doted on him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He was her pride and joy.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "We all liked Mister Thomas,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He was so kind at heart;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And when the young folks got in scrapes,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He always took their part.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He kept right on that very way",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till he got big and tall,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And old Mistus used to chide him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And say he’d spile us all.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But somehow the farm did prosper",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When he took things in hand;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And though all the servants liked him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He made them understand.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "One evening Mister Thomas said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Just bring my easy shoes:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "I am going to sit by mother,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And read her up the news.”",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Soon I heard him tell old Mistus",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“We’re bound to have a fight;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But we’ll whip the Yankees, mother,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "We’ll whip them sure as night!”",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then I saw old Mistus tremble;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She gasped and held her breath;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And she looked on Mister Thomas",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With a face as pale as death.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“They are firing on Fort Sumpter;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Oh! I wish that I was there!⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Why, dear mother! what’s the matter?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "You’re the picture of despair.”",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“I was thinking, dearest Thomas,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "’Twould break my very heart",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "If a fierce and dreadful battle",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Should tear our lives apart.”",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“None but cowards, dearest mother,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Would skulk unto the rear,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "When the tyrant’s hand is shaking,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All the heart is holding dear.”",
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   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "I felt sorry for old Mistus;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She got too full to speak;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But I saw the great big tear-drops",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A running down her cheek.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Mister Thomas too was troubled",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With choosing on that night,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Betwixt staying with his mother",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And joining in the fight.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Soon down into the village came",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A call for volunteers;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Mistus gave up Mister Thomas,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With many sighs and tears.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "His uniform was real handsome;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He looked so brave and strong;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But somehow I couldn’t help thinking",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His fighting must be wrong.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Though the house was very lonesome,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I thought ’twould all come right,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For I felt somehow or other",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "We was mixed up in that fight.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And I said to Uncle Jacob,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Now old Mistus feels the sting,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For this parting with your children",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is a mighty dreadful thing.”",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Never mind,” said Uncle Jacob,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Just wait and watch and pray,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For I feel right sure and certain,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Slavery’s bound to pass away;",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Because I asked the Spirit,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If God is good and just,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "How it happened that the masters",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Did grind us to the dust.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“And something reasoned right inside,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such should not always be;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And you could not beat it out my head,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Spirit spoke to me.”",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And his dear old eyes would brighten,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And his lips put on a smile,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Saying, “Pick up faith and courage,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And just wait a little while.”",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Mistus prayed up in the parlor,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That the Secesh all might win;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "We were praying in the cabins,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wanting freedom to begin.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Mister Thomas wrote to Mistus,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Telling ’bout the Bull’s Run fight,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "That his troops had whipped the Yankees",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And put them all to flight.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Mistus’ eyes did fairly glisten;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She laughed and praised the South,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But I thought some day she’d laugh",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On tother side her mouth.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "I used to watch old Mistus’ face,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And when it looked quite long",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "I would say to Cousin Milly,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The battle’s going wrong;",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Not for us, but for the Rebels.⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My heart ’would fairly skip,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "When Uncle Jacob used to say,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“The North is bound to whip.”",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And let the fight go as it would⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Let North or South prevail⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He always kept his courage up,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And never let it fail.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And he often used to tell us,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Children, don’t forget to pray;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For the darkest time of morning",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is just ’fore the break of day.”",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Well, one morning bright and early",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "We heard the fife and drum,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And the booming of the cannon⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Yankee troops had come.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "When the word ran through the village,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The colored folks are free⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In the kitchens and the cabins",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "We held a jubilee.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "When they told us Mister Lincoln",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Said that slavery was dead,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "We just poured our prayers and blessings",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon his precious head.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "We just laughed, and danced, and shouted,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And prayed, and sang, and cried,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And we thought dear Uncle Jacob",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Would fairly crack his side.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But when old Mistus heard it,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She groaned and hardly spoke;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "When she had to lose her servants,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her heart was almost broke.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "’Twas a sight to see our people",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Going out, the troops to meet,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Almost dancing to the music,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And marching down the street.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "After years of pain and parting,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Our chains was broke in two,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And we was so mighty happy,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "We didn’t know what to do.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But we soon got used to freedom,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though the way at first was rough;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But we weathered through the tempest,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For slavery made us tough.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But we had one awful sorrow,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "It almost turned my head,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "When a mean and wicked cretur",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shot Mister Lincoln dead.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "’Twas a dreadful solemn morning,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I just staggered on my feet;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And the women they were crying",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And screaming in the street.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But if many prayers and blessings",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Could bear him to the throne,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "I should think when Mister Lincoln died,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That heaven just got its own.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then we had another President⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What do you call his name?",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Well, if the colored folks forget him",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They wouldn’t be much to blame.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "We thought he’d be the Moses",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of all the colored race;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But when the Rebels pressed us hard",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He never showed his face.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But something must have happened him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Right curi’s I’ll be bound,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "’Cause I heard ’em talking ’bout a circle",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That he was swinging round.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But everything will pass away⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He went like time and tide⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And when the next election came",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They let poor Andy slide.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But now we have a President,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And if I was a man",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "I’d vote for him for breaking up",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The wicked Ku Klux Klan.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And if any man should ask me",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If I would sell my vote,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "I’d tell him I was not the one",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To change and turn my coat;",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "If freedom seem’d a little rough",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I’d weather through the gale;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And as to buying up my vote,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I hadn’t it for sale.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "I do not think I’d ever be",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As slack as Jonas Handy;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Because I heard he sold his vote",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For just three sticks of candy.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But when John Thomas Reeder brought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His wife some flour and meat,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And told her he had sold his vote",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For something good to eat.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "You ought to seen Aunt Kitty raise,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And heard her blaze away;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She gave the meat and flour a toss,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And said they should not stay.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And I should think he felt quite cheap",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For voting the wrong side;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And when Aunt Kitty scolded him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He just stood up and cried.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But the worst fooled man I ever saw,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was when poor David Rand",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Sold out for flour and sugar;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The sugar was mixed with sand.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "I’ll tell you how the thing got out;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His wife had company,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And she thought the sand was sugar,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And served it up for tea.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "When David sipped and sipped the tea,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Somehow it didn’t taste right;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "I guess when he found he was sipping sand,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He was mad enough to fight.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "The sugar looked so nice and white⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "It was spread some inches deep⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But underneath was a lot of sand;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such sugar is mighty cheap.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "You’d laughed to seen Lucinda Grange",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon her husband’s track;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "When he sold his vote for rations",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She made him take ’em back.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Day after day did Milly Green",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Just follow after Joe,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And told him if he voted wrong",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To take his rags and go.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "I think that Curnel Johnson said",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His side had won the day,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Had not we women radicals",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Just got right in the way.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And yet I would not have you think",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That all our men are shabby;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But ’tis said in every flock of sheep",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There will be one that’s scabby.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "I’ve heard, before election came",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They tried to buy John Slade;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But he gave them all to understand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That he wasn’t in that trade.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And we’ve got lots of other men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who rally round the cause,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And go for holding up the hands",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That gave us equal laws.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Who know their freedom cost too much",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of blood and pain and treasure,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For them to fool away their votes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For profit or for pleasure.",
    "indent": 1
   }
  ]
 ]
}