"Long John" by Lightning Washington and fellow convicts

The song itself is a call and response and certain lyrics repeat throughout the song. But, the basic story behind the song is that an African American worker escaped the confines of slavery and made it to the north. There are no instruments except for the beat provided by the sound of wood chopping. The song itself seems like it has a sad tone or is sad because the the "O"s are stretched out in long, John, and gone. The music surprises me when it mentions the nailing of Jesus Christ to the the cross. My favorite part of the song has to be when John is describing that dogs are coming and that he needs to go. It provides a sense of suspense and anxiousness which gives the story a little terror and livens it up. My least favorite song has to be the "tell my rider That I'm on my way" because I don't really know what that means. "If I call next summer, Be in Baltimore", was very controversial at the time as the idea of African Americans escaping and running to freedom tore apart the country at one point. They had to fight to get there and many African Americans weren't lucky enough to make it. The main theme behind this song is identity. African Americans were fighting for a new life and to make a new identity for themselves. They were no longer the person to be pushed down on as they fought for their rights. I think the target audience was fellow African Americans and to inspire them. Making a message that their is hope and that some do make it to freedom.