Search Library

Go Down Moses
Contributed by M Herschfeld

  • TOP HAGGADAHS FOR 2023

"Go Down Moses" was first sung in the 1850s by enslaved and formerly enslaved African Americans.  The Exodus story was a source of inspiration to America's enslaved people and was often applied symbolically to emancipation from slavery.  For instance, Harriet Tubman, who personally guided over 70 enslaved people to freedom and helped them escape to Canada as refugees, was known as the Moses of her people.  As we sing this song, we remember the ways in which the Passover story has inspired past liberation movements and contemplate the ways in which it can inspire such movements today.

CHORDS

Verse: Em B7 EM (x4)

Chorus: Em Am7 B7 Em (x2)

1. When Israel was in Egypt's land, 
let my people go; 
oppressed so hard they could not stand, 
let my people go.


Refrain: 
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses) 
way down in Egypt's land; 
tell old Pharaoh 
to let my people go! 

2. "Thus spoke the Lord," bold Moses said, 
let my people go; 
"if not, I'll smite your first-born dead," 
let my people go. 
(Refrain) 

3. No more shall they in bondage toil, 
let my people go; 
let them come out with Egypt's spoil, 
let my people go. 
(Refrain) 

4. We need not always weep and mourn, 
let my people go; 
and wear those slavery chains forlorn, 
let my people go. 
(Refrain) 
haggadah Section: Songs

Featured clips


More clips from M Herschfeld