Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

Go Down, Moses

Traditional African American spiritual

Traditional African American spiritual. Hymnary lists this hymn text as public domain.

Source: Hymnary.org representative text

When Israel was in Egypt's land,

Let my people go,

oppressed so hard they could not stand,

Let my people go.

Refrain

Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land,

tell old Pharaoh: Let my people go.

The Lord told Moses what to do,

Let my people go,

to lead the Hebrew children through,

Let my people go.

As Israel stood by the waterside,

Let my people go,

at God's command it did divide,

Let my people go.

When they had reached the other shore,

Let my people go,

they let the song of triumph soar,

Let my people go.

Lord, help us all from bondage flee,

Let my people go,

and let us all in Christ be free,

Let my people go.