The Negro in the American Rebellion: His Heroism and His Fidelity

by William Wells Brown

I.

“Oh! we all longed for freedom,

Oh! we all longed for freedom,

Oh! we all longed for freedom,

Ah! we prayed to be free;

Yes, we prayed to be free,

Oh! we prayed to be free,

Though the day was long in coming,

Though the day was long in coming,

Though the day was long in coming,