Slavery Chain Done Broke At Last

Slavery chain done broke at last, broke at last, broke at last, Slavery chain done broke at last, Going to praise God till I die Way down in-a dat valley, Praying on my knees Told God about my troubles, And to help me ef-a He please I did tell him how I suffer, In de dungeon and de chain, And de days were with head bowed down, And my broken flesh and pain. I did know my Jesus heard me, 'Cause de spirit spoke to me And said, “Rise my child, your chillun, And you shall be free. I done 'p'int one mighty captain For to marshall all my hosts And to bring my bleeding ones to me And not one shall be lost.” Slavery chain done broke at last, broke at last, broke at last, Slavery chain done broke at last, Going to praise God till I die.

Slavery Chain Done Broke At Last was a African American spiritual, created circa 1865. It has been said that the song was composed shortly after Lincoln’s Emacipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863.  The tune is very similar to Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho, another well-known African American spiritual dating from the early 19th century. (See below).

There is an Audio Recording sung by the “Petersburg ex-slave group”.  It was recorded by Roscoe Lewis  of Hampton Institute 1937-1940 , in Virginia, USA.

Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho Joshua fit the battle of Jericho The walls came tumblin' down, Hallelujah! Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho Joshua fit the battle of Jericho And the walls came tumblin' down You may talk about the men of Gideon You may talk about the men of Saul But there're none like good old Joshua At the battle of Jericho, Hallelujah! Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho Joshua fit the battle of Jericho And the walls came tumblin' down, Hallelujah! Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho Joshua fit the battle of Jericho And the walls came tumblin' down Up to the walls of Jericho With sword drawn in his hand Go blow them horns, cried Joshua The battle is in my hands Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho Joshua fit the battle of Jericho And the walls come tumblin' down, that mornin' Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho Joshua fit the battle of Jericho And the walls come tumblin' down, Hallelujah! Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho Joshua fit the battle of Jericho And the walls come tumblin' down

Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho, also known as  Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho or Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho  was a traditional African American spiritual or “praise song,” believed to have been composed by enslaved African Americans in the first half of the 19th century. The lyrics allude to the biblical story of the Battle of Jericho, and lauds Joshua for defeating the enemies of God’s people.

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
….
So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
--Joshua 6:15-16, 20 KJV

2017, Myth Woodling

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