Oh, Harriet the Brave

Student Introduction:

Oh Harriet The Brave was created by Genesee Elementary School 4th grade students in 2014, the first year of the project. It is an overview of her life and heroics. Students learned her birth name was Araminta, and her nickname was Minty. They also learned she wasn’t just an abolitionist, but also a suffragist. The lyrics also mention John Brown Hall, an infirmary built by Tubman to take care of the sick and aged. The students who created this song are now in 9th grade and we have a couple of them here with us today.

Oh, Harriet the Brave Lyrics

Chorus:

Oh Harriet, plucky and brave

We are grateful for souls you saved

The rebel army was vanquished

Oh Harriet, the brave

Descant chorus:

Oh Harriet (3x)

Oh Harriet, the brave

Oh Harriet, don’t you cry

Wicked slavery you did defy

Your freedom’s gonna be heaven

Oh, Minty, don’t you weep

You said, “I’ve traveled long and far,

Just followin’ that freedom star

My freedom’s gonna be heaven

Oh Minty don’t you weep.

You didn’t just sit and lay around

You got those feet up on the ground

Always helpin’ your people

Oh, Moses, don’t you weep.

Many freed people you brought through

Auburn looked like home to you

Welcomed your friends and family

Oh Harriet, the brave

Chorus

Oh Harriet, plucky and brave

We are grateful for souls you saved

The rebel army was vanquished

Oh Harriet, the brave

Auburn looked like heaven for sure

Must have seemed like freedom’s door

Land to grow and water pure

Oh Minty don’t you weep.

You saved lives in John Brown Hall

Cared for the hungry, sick and all

Nursed and cooked for the elders

Oh Harriet, the brave

You were colossal though you were small

You battled for equal rights for all

Your life for freedom and justice

Oh people, don’t you weep

You weren’t just an abolitionist

But a determined suffragist

Fought for the vote for all women

Oh Harriet, the brave

Chorus

Oh Harriet, plucky and brave

We are grateful for souls you saved

The rebel army was vanquished

Oh Harriet, the brave

(Harmonica Break)

Runnin’ to freedom you kept on goin’

After the war you kept on goin’

You persevered and you kept on goin’

Oh, Minty don’t you weep

You never looked back, you kept on goin’

You were getting older but you kept on goin’

For ninety one years you kept on goin’

Oh, people don’t you weep

Chorus

Oh Harriet, plucky and brave

We are grateful for souls you saved

The rebel army was vanquished

Oh Harriet, the brave