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Literature in American History

Ha rriet Tubman by Margaret Walker

Winner of the Yale Younger Poet's prize in 1942, Margaret Walker 0915- ) has regularly used her poetry to celebrate the struggles and dreams of Mrican­Americans. It is not surprising, then, that Walker, who was herself active in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, would choose Harriet Tubman as the subject of one of her poems. In "Harriet Tubman," Walker conveys both the horrors of slavery and the courage of the most famous figure in the history of the Underground Railroad.

As you read "Haniet Tubman," think about why Walker chose to write the poem in different voices.

Dark is the face of Harriet, This piece of iron's not hard enough Darker still her fate To kill you with a blow, Deep in the dark of southern wilds This piece of iron can't hurt you, Deep in the slavers' hate. Just let you slaves all know.

( Fiery the eye of Harriet, I'm still the overseer, Fiery~ dark, and wild; Old marster'll believe my tale; Bitter, bleak, ·and hopeless I know that he will keep me, Is the bonded child. From going to the jail.

Stanq in the fields, Harriet, Get up, bleeding Harriet, Stand alone and still I didn't hit you hard; Stand before the overseer Get up, bleeding Harriet, Mad enough to kill. And grease your head with lard.

This is slavery, Harriet, Get up, sullen Harri~t,

Bend beneath the lash; Get up and bind your head. This is Maryland, Harriet, Remember this is Maryland Bow to poor white trash. And I can beat you dead .

You're a field hand, Harriet, How far is the road to Canada? Working the corn; How far do I have to go? You're a grubb~r with the hoe How far is the road from Maryland And a slave child born. And the hatred that I know?

You're just sixteen, Harriet, I stabbed that overseer; And never had a beau; I took his rusty knife; Your mother's dead long time ago, I killed that overseer; Your daddy you don't know. I took his lowdown life.

© Prentice-Hall, Inc. The Underground Railroad 13

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Literature in American History Continue.d

For three long years I waited, Three years I kept my hate, Three years before I killed him, Three years I had to wait.

Done shook the dust of Maryland Clean off my weary feet; I'm on my way to Canada And Freedom's golden street.

I'm bound to git to Canada Before another week; I come through swamps and mountains, I waded many a creek.

Now tell my brothers yonder That Harriet is free; Yes, tell my brothers yonder No more auction block for me.

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Come down from the mountain, Harriet, Come down to the valley at night, Come down to your weeping people And be their gUiding light.

Sing Deep Dark River of Jordan, Don't you want to cross over today? Sing Deep Wide River of Jordan, Don't you want to walk Freedom's way?

I stole down in the night time, I come back in the day, I stole back to my Maryland To guide the slaves away.

I met old marster yonder A-coming down the road, And right past me in Maryland MyoId marster strode.

I passed beside my marster And covered up my head; My marster didn't know me I guess he heard I'm dead.

14 The Underground Railroad

I wonder if he thought about That overseer's dead; I wonder if he figured out He ought to know this head?

You better run, brave Harriet, There's ransom on your head; You better run, Miss Harriet, They want you live or dead.

Been down in Valleys yonder And searching round the stills, They got the posse after YQu, A-riding through the hills.

They got the blood hounds smelling, They got their guns c~cked too; You better nul, bold Harriet, The white man's after you.

They got ten thousand dollars PPt on your coal-black head; They'll ~ive ten thousand dollars; They're mad because you fled.

I wager they'll be riding A long, long time for you. Yes, Lord, they'll look a long time Till Judgment Day is due.

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I'm Harriet Tubman, people, I'm Harriet the slave, I'm Harriet, free woman, And I'm free within my grave.

Come along, children, with Harriet Come along, children, come along Uncle Sam is rich enough To give you all aJarm.

I killed the overseer. I fooled old marster's eyes, I found my way to Canada With hundreds more besides.

© Prentice-Hall, Inc.