Go Down Moses

Go Down Moses est un classique de gospel. Inspiré par l'Ancien Testament de la Bible, (Exode 5:1 et 8:1 : « L'Éternel dit à Moïse : Va vers Pharaon, et tu lui diras : Ainsi parle l'Éternel : Laisse aller mon peuple, afin qu'il me serve. »)

Israël représente les esclaves africains d'Amérique alors que l'Égypte et le Pharaon représentent les maîtres esclavagistes.

Cette chanson a été popularisée par Paul Robeson.

Le 7 février 1958, elle est enregistrée à New York par Louis Armstrong avec Sy Oliver's Orchestra.

Claude Nougaro en a utilisé la mélodie pour sa chanson Armstrong en hommage à Louis Armstrong.

Paroles

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, 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...

No more shall they in bondage toil,

Let my people go,

Let them come out with Egypt's spoil,

Let my people go.

Go down...

The Lord told Moses what to do,

Let my people go,

To lead the Hebrew children through,

Let my people go.

Go down...

O come along Moses, you'll not get lost,

Let my people go,

Stretch out your rod and come across,

Let my people go.

Go down...

As Israel stood by the waterside,

Let my people go,

At God's command it did divide,

Let my people go.

Go down...

When they reached the other shore,

Let my people go,

They sang a song of triumph o'er,

Let my people go.

Go down...

Pharaoh said he'd go across,

Let my people go,

But Pharaoh and his host were lost,

Let my people go.

Go down...

Jordan shall stand up like a wall,

Let my people go,

And the walls of Jericho shall fall,

Let my people go.

Go down...

Your foes shall not before you stand,

Let my people go,

And you'll possess fair Canaan's land,

Let my people go.

Go down...

O let us all from bondage flee,

Let my people go,

And let us all in Christ be free,

Let my people go.

Go down...

We need not always weep and mourn,

Let my people go,

And wear these slavery chains forlorn,

Let my people go.

Go down...