Go Down Moses
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- This article discusses the song Go Down Moses; for the book by William Faulkner, see Go Down, Moses
Go Down Moses is an African-American spiritual, that is a retelling of events in the Old Testament of the Bible (Exodus, chapters 3-12), in which God commands Moses to demand the release of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt.
The song was made famous by Paul Robeson whose voice, deep and resonant as it was, was said by some to have attained the status of the voice of God.
William Faulkner titled his book, Go Down, Moses, after the song.
Usual lyrics
When Israel was in Egypt's land
Let my people go
Oppressed so hard they could not stand
Let my people go
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land
Tell old Pharaoh, Let my people go
So Moses went to Egypt's land
Let my people go
To make old Pharaoh understand
Let my people go
Thus spake the Lord, bold Moses said,
"Let my people go,
If not, I'll strike your first born dead
Let my people go"
(Public Domain)