Sojourner Truth
words by Charlotte Banigan-White and Lloyd Miller
music by Lloyd Miller
arrangement by Ari Dolegowski, Chris Johnson, Ely Levin, and Lloyd Miller
(c) (p) 2008, 2011
appears on Strange Dees, Indeed by the Deedle Deedle Dees (release date: October 31, 2011)
Sojourner Truth traveled up the mountain
the moon was right behind her
she looked down the mountain
at those who tried to stop her
The moon looked like a light
and shined on Sojourner Truth
Where she's going
you're invited too
An angry mob broke up the tent meeting
Sojourner's first thought was hiding
She fled to the top of a small rise of ground
It turned into a mountain when she turned around
And sang a song
Sojourner told 'em all
'Bout being born a slave
They heard her out and then they went away
She was good on her feet, I guess
Kind of like you, Moby Dee
I wrote this with the help of some kids in Western Massachusetts. Charlotte, credited at top, wrote most of the lyrics and I came with the chords, tune, etc. I worked with her and a bunch of other kids at First Churches of Northampton on a whole original musical show about the history of the church and the Northampton area called Journey On. The show was performed at the church at Christmas time in 2008. Lots of other adults (Cynthia and Chris!) collaborated on this show -- I'll get your names up here soon.
Who does what on "Sojourner Truth"
Booker Dee (Chris Johnson): piano
Moby Dee (Ari Dolegowski): mandolin, electric guitar
Otto von Dee (Ely Levin): drums
Ulysses S. Dee (Lloyd Miller): upright bass, lead vocals
Dean Jones: recording, mixing, trombone
