Go Down Moses - Traditional

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.

Thus saith the Lord, bold Moses said,
Let my people go;
If not, I'll smite your firstborn dead,
Let my people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land;
Tell old Pharaoh, let my people go.

No more shall they in bondage toil,
Let my people go;
Let them come out with Egypt's spoil,
Let my people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land;
Tell old Pharaoh, let my people go.

The Lord told Moses what to do,
Let my people go;
To lead the children of Israel through,
Let my people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land;
Tell old Pharaoh, let my people go.

O let us all from bondage flee,
Let my people go;
And let us all in Christ be free,
Let my people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land;
Tell old Pharaoh, let my people go.

Go Down Moses lyrics use the refrain 'Let my people go' to parallel the ancient struggle of Israel in Egypt with the fight against slavery in the American South. The song is characterized by its deep and resonant melody. By singing these lyrics the congregation acknowledges the central theme of justice in the Judeo-Christian tradition and celebrates the God who hears the cries of the oppressed and leads His people into liberty.