The Hutchinson FamilY singers gained fame touring the North before the war. Set to the tune of "Old Dan Tucke1j Jesse Hutchinson, Jr., wrote this song in the 1840s. In some northern communities before the wa1j members were booed off the stage when they attempted to sing this song because of its antislavery message, and at Yale students protested its performance.

Get Off the Track

Ho! The car emancipation,
Rides majestic through our nation,
Bearing to its train the story,
Liberty! A nation's glory.
          Rolling along! RoJJing along! Rolling along! Through the nation, Freedom's car, Emancipation.

First of all the train and grader
Speeds the dauntless liberator
Onward cheer amid hosannas
And the waving of free banners
          Roll it along! Roll it along!
          Roll it along! Spread your banners While the people shout hosannas.

Let the ministers and churches
Leave behind sectarian lurches,
Jump on board the car of freedom,
Ere it be too late to need them.
          Sound the alarm! Sound the alarm! Sound the alarm! Pulpits thunder, Ere too late you see your blunder.

Railroads to emancipation
Cannot rest on clay foundation
And the tracks of the magician
Are but railroads to perdition
          Pull up the rails! Pull up the rails! Pull up the rails! Emancipation Cannot rest on such foundation.

All true friends of emancipation,
Haste to freedom's railway station,
Quick into d1e cars get seated;
All is ready and completed.
          Put on d1e steam! Put on d1e steam! "Put on d1e steam!" all are crying, And d1e liberty flags are flying.

Hear the mighty car-wheels humm9ng;
Now, look out! The engine's coming! Church and statesmen, hear the thunder, Clear the track, or you'll fall under.
          Get off the track! Get off the track! Get off the track! All are singing While the "Liberly Bell" is ringing.

Jesse Hutchinson