MANA's BLACK LIT ALIVE! Podcast: A Variety of Early Works By African American Writers —Segment #8

MANA's BLACK LIT ALIVE! is a special segment that features podcasts on literature produced by African American writers in the 18th century and beyond. 

Through literature, the writers, whether free or slaves, realized their identity and expressed their individuality at a time when African Americans were only viewed as mere property.

Listen to the podcast below in which MANA's DR C reads: 

1. The poem, "An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penitential Cries" by Jupiter Hammon (c. 1711-1806), and published in New York in 1761. Hammon is considered to be the founder of African American literature. "An Evening Thought," was the first poem published by an African American in North America. In a previous post, BLACK LIT ALIVE! features another poem by Jupiter. Go HERE to read the work, "Essay on Slavery, with justification to Divine providence, that God Rules over all things."

2. The poem, "On Being Brought From Africa to America," by Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753-1784), the first African American author of a book of poetry. Go HERE to listen to a previous BLACK LIT ALIVE! podcast regarding Wheatley. DR C reads "On Being Brought From Africa to America," twice in this latest podcast. 

3. More excerpts from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African by Gustavus Vassa. The book was first published in 1789 in London. Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of a previous BLACK LIT ALIVE! podcast on Vassa. 

4. Excerpts from A Narrative of the Adventures and Escape of Moses, Roper, from American Slavery by Moses Roper (c.1815-April 15.1891). Roper's book was one of the major early books about life as a slave in the United States. 

5. The poem, "On Liberty and Slavery" by George Moses Horton (1798-1883), who is considered "the Black bard of North Carolina." Go HERE to listen to a previous BLACK LIT ALIVE! podcast on Horton.

Follow along with DR C as she recites:

An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penitential Cries

by Jupiter Hammon

Salvation comes by Jesus Christ alone,

The only Son of God;

Redemption now to every one,

That love his holy Word.

Dear Jesus we would fly to Thee,

And leave off every Sin,

Thy Tender Mercy well agree;

Salvation from our King…

...Now Glory be to God on High,

Salvation high and low;

And thus the Soul on Christ rely, 

To Heaven surely go.

Come Blessed Jesus, Heavenly Dove,

Accept Repentance here;

Salvation give, with tender Love;

Let us with Angels share.

On Being Brought From Africa To America 

by Phillis Wheatley

Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,

Taught my benighted soul to understand

That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:

Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.

Some view our sable race with scornful eye,

"Their colour is a diabolic die."

Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,

May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olauday Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African (Excerpt)

By Gustavus Vassa

My father, besides many slaves, had a numerous family, of which seven lived to grow up, including myself and a sister, who was the only daughter. As I was the youngest of the sons, I became, of course, the greatest favourite with my mother, and was always with her; and she used to take particular pains to form my mind. 

I was trained up from my earliest years in the art of war; my daily exercise was shooting and throwing javelins; and my mother adorned me with emblems, after the manner of our greatest warriors. In this way I grew up till I was turned the age of eleven, when an end was put to my happiness in the following manner:—

Generally when the grown people in the neighbourhood were gone far in the fields to labour, the children assembled together in some of the neighbours' premises to play; and commonly some of us used to get up a tree to look out for any assailant, or kidnapper, that might come upon us; for they sometimes took those opportunities of our parents' absence to attack and carry off as many as they could seize.

One day, as I was watching at the top of a tree in our yard, I saw one of those people come into the yard of our next neighbour but one, to kidnap, there being many stout young people in it. Immediately on this I gave the alarm of the rogue, and he was surrounded by the stoutest of them, who entangled him with cords, so that he could not escape till some of the grown people came and secured him. But alas! ere long it was my fate to be thus attacked, and to be carried off, when none of the grown people were nigh. 

One day, when all our people were gone out to their works as usual, and only I and my dear sister were left to mind the house, two men and a woman got over our walls, and in a moment seized us both, and, without giving us time to cry out, or make resistance, they stopped our mouths, and ran off with us into the nearest wood. Here they tied our hands, and continued to carry us as far as they could, till night came on, when we reached a small house, where the robbers halted for refreshment, and spent the night. We were then unbound, but were unable to take any food; and, being quite overpowered by fatigue and grief, our only relief was some sleep, which allayed our misfortune for a short time.

The next morning we left the house, and continued travelling all the day. For a long time we had kept the woods, but at last we came into a road which I believed I knew. I had now some hopes of being delivered; for we had advanced but a little way before I discovered some people at a distance, on which I began to cry out for their assistance: but my cries had no other effect than to make them tie me faster and stop my mouth, and then they put me into a large sack. They also stopped my sister's mouth, and tied her hands; and in this manner we proceeded till we were out of the sight of these people.

When we went to rest the following night they offered us some victuals; but we refused it; and the only comfort we had was in being in one another's arms all that night, and bathing each other with our tears. But alas! we were soon deprived of even the small comfort of weeping together. The next day proved a day of greater sorrow than I had yet experienced; for my sister and I were then separated, while we lay clasped in each other's arms.

It was in vain that we besought them not to part us; she was torn from me, and immediately carried away, while I was left in a state of distraction not to be described. I cried and grieved continually; and for several days I did not eat any thing but what they forced into my mouth. 

Narrative of the Adventures and Escape of Moses Roper, From American Slavery

by Moses Roper

When I arrived in the city of New York, I thought I was free; but learned I was not, and could be taken there. I went out into the country several miles, and tried to get employment; but failed, as I had no recommendation. I then returned to New York; but finding the same difficulty there to get work as in the country, I went back to the vessel, which was to sail eighty miles up the Hudson river, to Poughkeepsie. 

When I arrived, I obtained employment at an inn, and after I had been there about two days, was seized with the cholera, which was at that place…

I then returned to the city of Boston, to the shop where I was before. Several weeks after I had returned to my situation, two coloured men informed me, that a gentleman had been inquiring for a person, whom, from the description, I knew to be myself, and offered them a considerable sum if they would disclose my place of abode; but they, being much opposed to slavery, came and told me; upon which information, I secreted myself till I could get off. 

I went into the Green Mountains for several weeks, from thence to the city of New York, and remained in secret several days, till I heard of a ship, the Napoleon, sailing to England, and on the 11th of November, 1835, I sailed, taking my letters of recommendation…

The time I first started from slavery, was in July, 1834, so that I was nearly sixteen months in making my escape.  ON the 29th of November, 1835, I reached Liverpool; and my feelings when I first touched the shores of Britain were indescribable, and can only be properly understood by those who have escaped from the cruel bondage of slavery.

On Liberty and Slavery 

by George Moses Horton

Alas! and am I born for this,

To wear this slavish chain?

Deprived of all created bliss,

Through hardship, toil and pain!

How long have I in bondage lain,

And languished to be free!

Alas! and must I still complain—

Deprived of liberty.

Oh, Heaven! and is there no relief

This side the silent grave—

To soothe the pain—to quell the grief

And anguish of a slave?

Come Liberty, thou cheerful sound,

Roll through my ravished ears!

Come, let my grief in joys be drowned,

And drive away my fears.

Say unto foul oppression, Cease:

Ye tyrants rage no more,

And let the joyful trump of peace,

Now bid the vassal soar.

Soar on the pinions of that dove

Which long has cooed for thee,

And breathed her notes from Afric’s grove,

The sound of Liberty.

Oh, Liberty! thou golden prize,

So often sought by blood—

We crave thy sacred sun to rise,

The gift of nature’s God!

Bid Slavery hide her haggard face,

And barbarism fly:

I scorn to see the sad disgrace

In which enslaved I lie.

Dear Liberty! upon thy breast,

I languish to respire;

And like the Swan unto her nest,

I’d like to thy smiles retire.

Oh, blest asylum—heavenly balm!

Unto thy boughs I flee—

And in thy shades the storm shall calm,

With songs of Liberty!

Have you written poems that you would like to self-publish? MANA can help. Contact MANA today at info@marketingnewauthors.com