Song meaning of The Slave Mother by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

The lyrics of the song, "The Slave Mother" by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, convey a powerful message about the agony and despair experienced by enslaved mothers who are forcibly separated from their children. The song depicts a mother who is in tremendous pain as her child is being taken away from her. The shrieks and cries described in the lyrics emphasize the intensity of her anguish.

The lyrics highlight the injustice and cruelty of slavery, as the mother's love for her son is disregarded and overshadowed by the power of the slaveholder. Despite the fact that she gave birth to the child and their blood is shared, she is not considered his true mother in the eyes of the slave system. The song portrays the mother's futile attempt to protect and hide her son, knowing that their bond is being brutally torn apart.

Through the use of imagery, the lyrics capture the torment and grief experienced by the mother, portraying her as frail, trembling, and filled with dread. The pleading and sorrowful look in her eyes reflects the storm of agony that consumes her. The lyrics also highlight the joy and love that the mother and her son shared before their forced separation, symbolizing it as a light and music in her life.

Overall, the lyrics of "The Slave Mother" evoke sympathy and evoke a sense of the profound suffering endured by enslaved women who had to witness their children being taken from them. It highlights the dehumanizing nature of slavery and the profound impact it had on the lives of enslaved individuals and their families.