Fashions of Slavery

I dreamed a dream …
A dreadful dream.
The life I lived so long ago,
in “Congo” land.
Black “Mother” land –
interrupted peace –
shackled freedom –
forced migration –
Slavery … European style.

I dreamed a dream …
A fearful dream.
The life I lived so long ago,
in “Passage” land –
uneasy rest –
vile discomfort –
insufferable confines –
Slavery … British style.

I dreamed a dream …
A frightful dream.
The life I lived so long ago,
in “Dixie” land.
Cruel “Massah’s” land –
unending toil –
harsh mishandling –
brutal degradation –
Slavery … American style.

I dreamed a dream …
A fitful dream.
The life I lived so long ago,
in “Canaan” land.
False “Freedom” land –
strained welcome –
subtle hatred –
covert discrimination –
Slavery … Canadian style.