AWAY TO CANADA.

I'm on my way to Canada,
   That cold and dreary land;
The dire effects of slavery,
   I can no longer stand.
My soul is vexed within me so,
   To think that I'm a slave;
I've now resolved to strike the blow
   For freedom or the grave.
         O righteous Father,
              Wilt thou pity me?
         And aid me on to Canada,
              Where colored men are free.

I heard old Queen Victoria say,
   If we would all forsake
Our native land of slavery,
   And come across the Lake,
That she was standing on the shore
   With arms extended wide,
To give us all a peaceful home,
   Beyond the rolling tide.
         Farewell, Old Master!
              That's enough for me--
         I'm going straight to Canada
              Where colored men are free.

I heard the old soul driver say,
   As he was passing by,
That Darkey's bound to run away.
   I see it in his eye.
My heart responded to the charge
   And thought it was no crime,
And something seemed my mindto urge,
   That now's the very time.
         O! old soul Driver,
              Don't you cry for me--
         I'm going up to Canada,
              Where colored men are free.

Grieve not, my wife--grieve not for me,
   O! do not break my heart,
For nought but cruel slavery
   Would cause me to depart.
If I should stay to quell your grief,
   Your grief I would augment;
For no one knows the day that we
   Asunder might be rent.
         O! Susannah,
              Don't you cry for me--
         I'm going up to Canada,
              Where colored men are free.

I heard old Master pray last night--
   I heard him pray for me;
That God would come, and in his might
   From Satan set me free;
So I from Satan would escape,
   And flee the wrath to come--
If there's a fiend in human shape,
   Old Master must be one.
         O! Old Master!
              While you pray for me,
         I'm doing all I can to reach
               The land of Liberty.

Ohio's not the place for me;
   For I was much surprised,
So many of her sons to see
   In garments of disguise.
Her name has gone out through the world
   Free Labor--Soil--and Men;--
But slaves had better far be hurled
   Into the Lion's Den.
         Farewell Ohio!
               I am not safe in thee;
         I'll travel on to Canada,
               Where colored men are free.

I've now embarked for yonder shore,
   Where Man's a man by Law
The vessel soon will bear me o'er,
   To shake the Lion's paw.
I no more dread the Auctioneer;
   Nor fear the Master's frowns;--
I no more tremble when I hear.
   The baying Negro-hounds.
         O, Old Master!
              Don't think hard of me--
         I'm just in sight of Canada,
              Where colored men are free.

I've landed safe upon the shore,
   Both soul and body free;
My blood and brains    Will drench old Tennessee,
But I behold the scalding tear,
   Now stealing from my eye,
To think my wife --my only dear,
   A slave must live and die.
         O, Susannah!
              Don't you grieve for me--
         For ever at a throne of Grace
              I will remember thee.