Go down moses
Marian Anderson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴When Israel was in Egypt′s Land,
Let my people go,
Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
Let my people go.

Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egypt's Land.
Tell ol′ Pharaoh,

To let my people go.

Thus saith the Lord; bold Moses said,
Let my people go,
If not, I'll smite your first-born dead,
Let my people go.

Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egypt's Land.

Tell ol′ Pharaoh,
To let my people go.

Overall Meaning

Marian Anderson's song "Go Down Moses" is a powerful spiritual that tells the story of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt and their plea for freedom led by Moses. The song begins by setting the scene of the Israelites' oppression in Egypt and their plea for their freedom. The repeated refrain "Let my people go" emphasizes the Israelites' fervent desire to be free from their enslavement.

The second verse introduces the character of Moses, who speaks with the authority of God to Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. The threat of divine punishment is made clear in the line "If not, I'll smite your first-born dead," further emphasizing the urgency of the Israelites' plea.

Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the desire for freedom and the strength that can be found in faith and spiritual belief. Anderson's interpretation of the song only adds to its emotional impact, as her rich, soulful voice carries the weight of the Israelites' struggle for freedom.

Line by Line Meaning

When Israel was in Egypt′s Land,
When the Israelites were living in Egypt's land

Let my people go,
Please release my people from slavery

Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
They were treated so poorly that they were unable to continue with their lives

Thus saith the Lord; bold Moses said,
As directed by the Lord, Moses proclaimed firmly

If not, I'll smite your first-born dead,
If the Pharaoh disobeys, the Lord will kill his firstborn son

Go down, Moses,
Go forth, Moses

Way down in Egypt's Land.
All the way to Egypt, in the land of the Pharaoh

Tell ol' Pharaoh,
Inform the Pharaoh

To let my people go.
To allow the Israelites to leave slavery and go free

Writer(s): Moses George Hogan

Contributed by Bella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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