I was born in 1865 in the southeastern united states of america
On this my plantation, on this my plantation
So simple until that day
Lying in the hot sun
Lying in the hot sun
Tried to wake him
But he would not awaken. (drop the bucket and run)
Asked my father, but did not question
Saw it fall, saw it fall (drop the bucket and run)
I thought it made him free
I thought it made him (run away, get away) free
Wish i would have said this before (when I was still alive)
I thought that I was so free...
Thought that you might have learned from my mistakes
But you've only regenerated
All the things i've
Come to know and hate
I saw it fall the last drop to the bucket
Onto the blade of gra**
And I thought it might have made him free