Untitled Slave Song

We raise de wheat, Dey giv us de corn.

We bake de bread,  Dey giv us de crust.

We sif de meal,  Dey gib us de huss.

We peel de meat,   Dey giv us de skin.

And dat’s de way  Dey take us in:

We skim de pot,  Dey gib us de liquor ,

And say dat’s good enough for nigger .

From My Bondage and My Freedom,   by Frederick Douglas, 1853