I grew up like a neglected weed - ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.

I would fight for my liberty so long as my strength lasted, and if the time came for me to go, the Lord would let them take me.

I would fight for my liberty so long as my strength lasted, and if the time came for me to go, the Lord would let them take me.

I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.

I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything. The sun came up like gold through the trees, and I felt like I was in heaven.

'Pears like I prayed all the time, 'bout my work, everywhere, I prayed an' groaned to the Lord.