Go Down, Moses (Poem Text)

Contents: Introduction Poem Summary Themes Style Historical Context Critical Overview Criticism Sources For Further Reading

Poem Text

Go down, Moses
’Way down in Egypt land,
Tell ole Pharaoh,
To let my people go.
When Israel was in Egypt’s land;          5
Let my people go,
Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
Let my people go.
“Thus spoke the Lord,” bold Moses said;
Let my people go,                         10If not I’ll smite your first born dead,
Let my people go.