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William Andrew

from Constitution by The Afro-Métis Nation

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about

The story of Rev. Capt. Dr. William Andrew White II (1874-1936), the son of slaves.

lyrics

WILLIAM ANDREW
Words and music by Chris White

Talkin’ ‘bout free-dom, talkin’ ‘bout free-dom...
I am a Baptist preacher, I am William Andrew White And 1936 is the year
My life has been a journey full of hardship and delight And now I feel the end is drawing near
My parents in Virginia, lived in slavery
Claimed their freedom in the Civil War
The seventh of nine children, I’m the first who was born free On June the sixteenth, 1874
I got some education, and I thought I could go far
If I could let my learning lead me forth
And then one of my teachers, Miss Helena Blackadar Suggested that I study in the North
I made my application to university
Wolfville, Nova Scotia was the place
I travelled to in search of my divinity degree And friendship well beyond the bounds of race
Talkin’ ‘bout free-dom, talkin’ ‘bout free-dom...
I took the pledge of ministry, and travelled town to town
To tell a tale of human dignity
I preached the word for years, and then the Great War came around And I became a chaplain overseas
We were a separate regiment, they kept us far apart Said mixing black and white would be shame
But Jesus is my witness, when I saw the fighting start The colour of the blood was all the same
When I returned to Halifax, the good Lord helped me choose To lead the big church on Cornwallis Street
In faith and hope and harmony, we spread the joyful news And tried to make the people’s lives complete
My good wife, Izie Dora, filled my life with joy
Her music and her wisdom were my guide
She gave me thirteen children, how I loved each girl and boy And how I grieve the two of them that died
Talkin’ ‘bout free-dom, talkin’ ‘bout free-dom...
My name is William Andrew, like my father’s was before And William Andrew is my oldest son
I’m looking back from this east coast to Africa’s west shore And thinking that my life is almost done
I look into the future, see my children shining bright
I hope that they will sometimes think on me
I pray that they will find a way to work with all their might To carry on the struggle to be free
To carry on the struggle to be free
Carry on the struggle to be free!
Talkin’ ‘bout free-dom, talkin’ ‘bout free-dom...

credits

from Constitution, released April 25, 2019
Chris White - Lead vocals, Backing vocals, Guitar
Sugar Plum Croxen - Backing vocals
Russ Kelley - Backing vocals
Shelley Hamilton - Backing vocals
John Somosi - Native drum, Backing vocals
Ken Whiteley - Bass, Banjo

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The Afro-Métis Nation image

The Afro-Métis Nation Ontario

George Elliott Clarke, O.C., has served as Poet Laureate of Parliament and Poet Laureate of Toronto. Shelley Hamilton is a two-time winner of the ANSMA 'Artist of the Year' Award. Russ Kelley and Chris White are performing songwriters and recording artists. 'Sugar Plum' Croxen has performed and toured since his teens. These artists honour their Black and Indigenous ancestors though this work. ... more

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