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The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Go Down Old Hannah" by the artist "Worksong"

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English:

The song "Go Down Old Hannah" by Worksong uses "Old Hannah" as a metaphor for the crushing weight of forced labor, possibly on a plantation. The lyrics are filled with despair and pain, depicting the harsh conditions of life and work.

The Figure of Old Hannah: "Old Hannah" personifies the burden of slave labor, which leaves no energy or hope for a better life. The lyrical hero begs her to leave, symbolically pleading for liberation from this burden.

Scenes of Suffering: The lyrics depict harrowing scenes: exhausted workers, death from overwork ("He was barely alive," "You would have seen a dead man, Lying across your furrow"). The fourth and tenth years possibly indicate the duration of this suffering.

Voices of Family: Calls from family members provide a glimmer of hope and a call to rebellion. The mother, father, sister, and brother understand the hero's plight and encourage him to escape.

The Governor's Letter: The Governor's cynical letter only intensifies the despair. The "pardon" he offers is tantamount to death, as the only escape from this life seems to be death itself.

Overall, "Go Down Old Hannah" is a powerful protest against slavery and exploitation, a call for liberation and the fight for a dignified life.

Why don't you go down old Hannah, well, well, well,

Don't you rise no more, don't you rise no more

Why don't you go down old Hannah, Hannah,

Don't you rise no more.

If you rise in the morning, well, well, well,

Bring judgement sure, [2x]

If you rise in the morning, morning,

Bring judgement sure.

Well, I looked at old Hannah, well, well, well,

She was turning red, [2x]

Then I looked at my partner, partner

He was almost dead

You should-a been on this old Brazos

Back in nineteen and fo' [2x]

You could find a dead man

Layin' across your row

Why don't you wake up old dead man,

Help me carry my row, [2x]

You should-a been on this old river,

Nineteen and ten.

You could find them workin' the women

And killin' the men

My mother called me

And I answered, Ma'am

She said ain't you tired of rolling

Rolling for that old sun-down man?

Then my father he called me

And I answered, Sir

He said if you're tired of rolling

What do you stay here for

Then my sister she called me

And I answered, hey

She said ain't you tired of rolling

Why don't you run away

Then my brother he called me

And I answered huh

He said if you're tired of rolling

You know you got too long

I got a letter from the Governor

What do you think he said

He said he'd give me a pardon

If I didn't drop dead.

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