Go Down Moses
Emancipation Echo: Go Down Moses
Lyrics
When Israel was in Egypt’s land
When the people of Israel were in the land of Egypt
Let my people go
Expressing the demand to release the Israelites from oppression
Oppressed so hard they could not stand
They were oppressed so severely that they couldn't endure it
Let my people go
Reiteration of the plea to let the people go
Go down Moses
Calling upon Moses to take action
Way down in Egypt’s land
Referring to the geographical location of Egypt
Tell old Pharaoh
Instructing Moses to convey the message to Pharaoh
To let my people go
Repetition of the plea to release the people
The Lord told Moses what to do
God communicated instructions to Moses
Let my people go
Reiterating the demand for the release of the Israelites
To lead the children of Israel through
Moses is chosen to lead the Israelites out of captivity
Let my people go
Repetition of the plea to let the people go
Go down Moses
Reiteration of the call for Moses to go to Egypt
Way down in Egypt’s land
Repeating the geographical reference to Egypt
Tell old Pharaoh
Instruction to convey the message to Pharaoh
To let my people go
Emphasizing the plea for the release of the people
They journeyed on at God's command*
Describing the journey of the Israelites under God's guidance
Let my people go
Repetition of the demand to let the people go
And came at length to Canaan's land
Arrival of the Israelites in the promised land of Canaan
Let my people go
Reiteration of the plea for the people's release
Go down Moses
Reiterating the call for Moses to go to Egypt
Way down in Egypt’s land
Restating the location of Egypt
Tell old Pharaoh
Commanding Moses to convey the message to Pharaoh
To let my people go
Repetition of the plea for the release of the people
Let us all from bondage flee
Calling for liberation from bondage for everyone
Let my people go
Reiteration of the plea to let the people go
And let us all in Christ be free
Expressing the desire for freedom in Christ for all
Let my people go
Repetition of the plea for the release of the people
Go down, Moses
Repeating the call for Moses to go down to Egypt
Way down in Egypt’s land
Reiterating the location of Egypt
Tell old Pharaoh
Instructing Moses to tell Pharaoh to let the people go
To let my people go
Emphasizing the plea for the release of the people
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