Digital Tradition Mirror

I'm on My Way to Canada

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

I'm on My Way to Canada
tune: Oh, Susannah

I'm on way to Canada,
That cold and dreary land;
The sad effects of slavery,
I can no longer stand.
     I've served my master all my days,
     Without a dime's reward;
     And now I'm forced to run away,
     To flee the lash abroad.

Farewell, old master, don't think hard of me,
I'm on my way to Canada, where all the slaves are free.

The hounds are baying on my track,
Old master comes behind,
Resolved that he will bring me back,
Before I cross the line;
     I'm now embarked for yonder shore,
     There a man's a man by law;
     The iron horse will bear me o'er,
     To shake the lion's paw.

Oh, righteous Father, will thou not pity me,
And aid me on to Canada, where all the slaves are free.

Oh, I heard Queen Victoria say,
That if we would forsake
Our native land of slavery,
And come across the lake;
     That she was standing on the shore,
     With arms extended wide,
     To give us all a peaceful home
     Beyond the rolling tide

Farewell, old master, don't think hard of me,
I'm on my way to Canada, where all the slaves are free.

American Labor Songs of the Nineteenth Century, Foner
Note: according to Foner, "A song well known to runaway
slaves..."
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!