The Weight of Chains
By Donald D. Dienst


Verse 1:
In fields of gold, beneath blue skies,
A world apart, where sorrow lies.
Smiles conceal the chains we bear,
In southern air, a silent prayer.

Pre-Chorus:
"So much of all on earth," they say,
"Is but a mockery and a dream."

Chorus:
In this land of gentle dreams,
Light and shadow, nothing's as it seems.
Kindness shown, but fear confined,
Hearts and fates forever intertwine.

Verse 2:
In the fields, a man endures,
Faith within, his heart is pure.
With her child, a mother's peace,
In his smile, her worries cease.
Lives entwined by unseen hands,
The weight of chains across these lands.

Chorus:
In this land of gentle dreams,
Light and shadow, nothing's as it seems.
Kindness shown, but fear confined,
Hearts and fates forever intertwine.

Bridge:
Through the night, a fragile peace,
But dawn may bring a storm's release.
In shadows deep, we dare to hope,
While tightening chains leave us to cope.

"So much of all on earth," we know,
"Is but a mockery and a dream."

Verse 3:
Debts are mounting, time runs low,
The price of lives, how can we know?
In this world of joy and strife,
We balance on the edge of life.

Chorus:
In this land of gentle dreams,
Light and shadow, nothing's as it seems.
Kindness shown, but fear confined,
Hearts and fates forever intertwine.

Outro:
In fields of gold,
beneath blue skies,
A world apart,
where sorrow lies

In shadows deep,
beneath blue skies,
A world apart,
where sorrow lies

A Man as Much as He (George's Lament)
By Donald D. Dienst


Notes:
It should explain that he is Eliza's husband and a slave on another farm. That he is mistreated by a man less then himself and wants to run in the course of a week or so, I shall be among the missing, some day. Pray for me, Eliza; perhaps the good Lord will hear you.”

Passage inspiration:
“Yes, Eliza, it’s all misery, misery, misery! My life is bitter as
wormwood; the very life is burning out of me. I’m a poor, miserable,
forlorn drudge; I shall only drag you down with me, that’s all. What’s
the use of our trying to do anything, trying to know anything, trying
to be anything? What’s the use of living? I wish I was dead!”

“O, now, dear George, that is really wicked! I know how you feel about
losing your place in the factory, and you have a hard master; but pray
be patient, and perhaps something—”

“Patient!” said he, interrupting her; “haven’t I been patient? Did I
say a word when he came and took me away, for no earthly reason, from
the place where everybody was kind to me? I’d paid him truly every cent
of my earnings,—and they all say I worked well.”

“Well, it _is_ dreadful,” said Eliza; “but, after all, he is your
master, you know.”

“My master! and who made him my master? That’s what I think of—what
right has he to me? I’m a man as much as he is. I’m a better man than
he is. I know more about business than he does; I am a better manager
than he is; I can read better than he can; I can write a better
hand,—and I’ve learned it all myself, and no thanks to him,—I’ve
learned it in spite of him; and now what right has he to make a
dray-horse of me?—to take me from things I can do, and do better than
he can, and put me to work that any horse can do? He tries to do it; he
says he’ll bring me down and humble me, and he puts me to just the
hardest, meanest and dirtiest work, on purpose!”

“So, Eliza, my girl,” said the husband, mournfully, “bear up, now; and
good-by, for I’m going.”

“Going, George! Going where?”

“To Canada,” said he, straightening himself up; “and when I’m there,
I’ll buy you; that’s all the hope that’s left us. You have a kind
master, that won’t refuse to sell you. I’ll buy you and the boy;—God
helping me, I will!”

“O, dreadful! if you should be taken?”

“I won’t be taken, Eliza; I’ll _die_ first! I’ll be free, or I’ll die!”

“You won’t kill yourself!”

“No need of that. They will kill me, fast enough; they never will get
me down the river alive!”

“O, George, for my sake, do be careful! Don’t do anything wicked; don’t
lay hands on yourself, or anybody else! You are tempted too much—too
much; but don’t—go you must—but go carefully, prudently; pray God to
help you.”

“Well, then, Eliza, hear my plan. Mas’r took it into his head to send
me right by here, with a note to Mr. Symmes, that lives a mile past. I
believe he expected I should come here to tell you what I have. It
would please him, if he thought it would aggravate ’Shelby’s folks,’ as
he calls ’em. I’m going home quite resigned, you understand, as if all
was over. I’ve got some preparations made,—and there are those that
will help me; and, in the course of a week or so, I shall be among the
missing, some day. Pray for me, Eliza; perhaps the good Lord will hear
_you_.”

Yes, Eliza, it is truly me,
Drawing his child, sitting on his knee.
You are the fairest woman I could see,
But, oh, I wish you’d never seen me.

What use is trying, striving for much more?
In chains, I wish my life were gone before.
Yet your sweet voice, my love, calls me to stand,
So I endure, with hope within my hand.

I’m a man as much as he, strong and wise,
I can read much better, and see his lies.
I'm better educated, skills pristine,
An inventor, creator of fine machines.
Yet he drags me down, puts me to the test,
In his cruel games, I cannot find rest.
Though he claims my body, my soul is free,
For I am a man as much as he!

Torn from the factory, where it was kind,
To harsh master's grip, peace left behind.
Taken from kindness, work mean and obscene,
For you and our boy, I’ll stay unseen.

I’ve been patient, all this while,
Paid every cent, endured each harsh trial.
This master claims to own my very soul,
But free, my spirit, beyond his control.

Chorus:]
I’m a man as much as he, strong and wise,
I can read much better, and see his lies.
I'm better educated, skills pristine,
An inventor, creator of fine machines.
Yet he drags me down, puts me to the test,
In his cruel games, I cannot find rest.
Though he claims my body, my soul is free,
For I am a man as much as he!

So, Eliza, bear up now, be strong,
In a week or so, I’ll right this wrong.
To Canada, I’ll flee and earn an increase,
For you and our son, I’ll buy your release.

Pray for me, Eliza, that God may hear,
Your faith and love, they keep strength near.
Though master tries to break my will
For our future, I’ll endure still.

He tries to humble, tries to break my heart,
But in my soul, freedom will not part.
With every hardship, I’ll persevere,
For the day we’re free, my love, don’t fear.

I’m a man as much as he, strong and wise,
I can read much better, and see his lies.
I'm better educated, skills pristine,
An inventor, creator of fine machines.
Yet he drags me down, puts me to the test,
In his cruel games, I cannot find rest.
Though he claims my body, my soul is free,
For I am a man as much as he!

For our love, for light we seek and find,
In each other, hope and strength combined.
One day soon, we’ll break these heavy chains,
Together, free from all these pains.

"A Heavy Heart"
by Donald D. Dienst


(Somber, reflective instrumental introducing a melancholic theme)

These burdens weigh upon my soul
Debts that crush, a heavy toll
Choices bound by laws and cash so cold
With lives at stake, my sins take hold

It is impossible to improve this matter
when we have to do what's so cruel
The weight of this burden, that hearts must shatter
I am bound by the laws hard rules

Caught between the debts I owe,
And lives that dangle in the throws
It is Impossible to make things right,
In the shadows of this night.

Tom, a beacon strong and pure,
Harry’s innocence, so unsure,
Their fates entwined, their futures obscure,
In the shadows of this night

It is impossible to improve this matter
when we have to do what's so cruel.
The weight of this burden, that hearts must shatter,
I am bound by the laws hard rules.

Caught between the debts I owe,
And lives that dangle in the throws,
Impossible to make things right,
In the shadows of this night.

The world is built on backs so bent,
On dreams and lives, unjustly spent,
My choice a mirror and the results of sin,
In a realm where love grows thin.

Caught between the debts I owe,
And lives that dangle in the throws,
Impossible to make things right,
Yet choose I must before the night.

What must be done, there is no choice,
Harden my heart, ignore the voice,
If we don't pay, we all might fall,
As bankruptcy will separate all.

What must be done, there is no choice,
Separate a mother from her son,
And a husband from his wife’s dear voice,
Now to tell my wife what must be done.

What must be done
What must be done

The Heart has No Tears to Give
By Donald D. Dienst




I heard all you and master said tonight,
You will not blame me for this desperate plight,
I’m going to try to save my boy, take flight.
God bless and reward you, kind woman.

This is God’s curse on slavery, I proclaim,
A bitter, bitter, most accursed shame!
A curse to the master and a curse to the slave,
In this darkness, no one is saved.”

But my heart has no tears to give,
It drops only blood,
Bleeding itself away in silence,
In the name of love.

She said, one soul’s worth more than the world,
And this boy has a soul, I know.
if I let him be carried off,
who knows where it will go?

I saw my husband just this afternoon,
Little knew then what was comming soon.
They pushed him to his last standing place,
He said he’d run, escape this disgrace.

But my heart has no tears to give,
It drops only blood,
Bleeding itself away in silence,
In the name of love.
In the name of love.

Tom I heard him say there was no choice,
Between selling us and selling all.
Chloe, I'd tell my George if he could hear my voice,
But I must run while the night falls.


Toms sobs, heavy, hoarse, his cries fill the air,
Great tears fell through his fingers in despair.
Just like tears you’d drop in a coffin’s sight,
Where lay your first-born son, lost in the night.

But my heart has no tears to give,
It drops only blood,
Bleeding itself away in silence,
In the name of love.

In my own Gethsemane, I pray,
Oh Lord, Not my will, but Yours, I say.
If I must be sold, then let it be,
To save them all, I’ll pay this fee.

But my heart has no tears to give,
It drops only blood,
Bleeding itself away in silence,
In the name of love.

O, I’m going to glory, come along with me,
See the angels beck'ning, calling me free.
See the golden city, the everlasting day,
In His arms, we’ll find our way.

With Chloe by my side, one last night,
We hold each other tight until the light.
Her touch, her voice, my guiding star,
Our love will hold whereever we are.

But the heart has no tears to give,
It drops only blood,
Bleeding itself away in silence,
In the name of love.

If I must be sold, or all should fall,
Then I'll be the one, save them all.
With bleeding heart, in silence I pray,
Keep Chloe safe come what may.

If I must be sold, or all should fall,
Then I'll be the one, save them all.
With bleeding heart, in silence I pray,
Keep Chloe safe come what may.

Across the Ice
By Donald D. Dienst


Notes:
Her boy was old enough
to have walked by her side, and, in an indifferent case, she would only
have led him by the hand; but now the bare thought of putting him out
of her arms made her shudder, and she strained him to her bosom with a
convulsive grasp, as she went rapidly forward.

The frosty ground creaked beneath her feet, and she trembled at the
sound; every quaking leaf and fluttering shadow sent the blood backward
to her heart, and quickened her footsteps.

“Mother, I don’t need to keep awake, do I?”
“No, my darling; sleep, if you want to.”
if I do get asleep, you won’t let him get me?”
“No! may God help me!” with a brighter light in her dark eyes.

Her first glance
was at the river, which lay, like Jordan, between her and the Canaan of
liberty on the other side.

It was now early spring, and the river was swollen and turbulent; great
cakes of floating ice were swinging heavily to and fro in the turbid
waters.

She caught her child, and
sprang down the steps towards it. The trader caught a full glimpse of
her just as she was disappearing down the bank; and throwing himself
from his horse, and calling loudly on Sam and Andy, he was after her
like a hound after a deer. In that dizzy moment her feet to her scarce
seemed to touch the ground, and a moment brought her to the water’s
edge. Right on behind they came; and, nerved with strength such as God
gives only to the desperate, with one wild cry and flying leap, she
vaulted sheer over the turbid current by the shore, on to the raft of
ice beyond. It was a desperate leap—impossible to anything but madness
and despair; and Haley, Sam, and Andy, instinctively cried out, and
lifted up their hands, as she did it.

The huge green fragment of ice on which she alighted pitched and
creaked as her weight came on it, but she staid there not a moment.
With wild cries and desperate energy she leaped to another and still
another cake; stumbling—leaping—slipping—springing upwards again! Her
shoes are gone—her stockings cut from her feet—while blood marked every
step; but she saw nothing, felt nothing, till dimly, as in a dream, she
saw the Ohio side, and a man helping her up the bank.

“O, Mr. Symmes!—save me—do save me—do hide me!” said Elia.

“Why, if ’tan’t Shelby’s gal!”

“My child!—this boy!—he’d sold him! There is his Mas’r,” said she,
pointing to the Kentucky shore. “O, Mr. Symmes, you’ve got a little
boy!”

“So I have,” said the man, as he roughly, but kindly, drew her up the
steep bank. “Besides, you’re a right brave gal. I like grit, wherever I
see it.”

“I’d be glad to do something for ye,” said he; “but then there’s nowhar
I could take ye. The best I can do is to tell ye to go _thar_,” said
he, pointing to a large white house which stood by itself, off the main
street of the village. “Go thar; they’re kind folks. Thar’s no kind o’
danger but they’ll help you,—they’re up to all that sort o’ thing.”

“the ice is all in broken-up blocks, a
swinging and a tetering up and down in the water!”

de Lord he persarves his own. Lizy’s done gone over the
river into ’Hio, as ’markably as if de Lord took her over in a charrit
of fire and two hosses.”

I saw her, with my own eyes, a crossin’ on the floatin’
ice. She crossed most ’markably; it wasn’t no less nor a miracle; and I
saw a man help her up the ’Hio side, and then she was lost in the
dusk.”

Her boy clutched tight against her chest,
Through the frosty night, no time to rest.
The ground beneath, a creaking sound,
Every shadow making her heart pound.

“Mother, do I need to stay awake?”
“No, my darling, sleep for both our sakes.
If I do get sleep, you won’t let him take me?”
“No! God will help us both, you'll see.”

The trader saw her, called his men,
But her feet barely touched the ground, again and again.
With wild cries, and leaps in despair,
To the other side, she flies as if by air.

The river like Jordan,
a swollen tide,
Cakes of ice,
in waters wide.
Down the steps,
with a desperate cry,
She leaps to freedom,
ready to die.

With a heart full of fire,
she takes the leap,
Across the ice,
the river deep.
Blood marks the steps,
shoes left behind,
In the name of love,
strength she finds.

The ice swings and teeters,
up and down,
Yet she presses on,
without a sound.
The Lord preserves his own,
they say,
As if by miracle,
she finds her way.

With a heart full of fire, she takes the leap,
Across the ice, the river deep.
Blood marks the steps, shoes left behind,
In the name of love, strength she finds.

“O, Mr. Symmes, save me, my child’s been sold,
Don't you have a son who’s just as old?”
“You’re brave,” he said, “I’ll help you through,
Go down to that house, they’ll know what to do.”

“We saw her cross on the floating ice,
Wasn't no less than a miracle of Christ.
Then a man helped her up the other side,
Then into the night she did hide.”

With a heart full of fire, she takes the leap,
Across the ice, the river deep.
Blood marks the steps, shoes left behind,
In the name of love, strength she finds.

Across the ice, her heart beats strong,
A mother’s love, is where he belongs.
In the darkest night, through the blood and fear,
She finds her freedom, her child held near.

Vows of compassion
By Donald D. Dienst


Notes:



In the cold of night, a knock at the door,
A mother and child, fleeing from the shore.
A Senator torn between the law and light,
But in his heart he knows what is truly right.

Mrs. Shelby’s promise, strong and true,
We'll buy back Tom, and see it through.
Renting out Chloe, pies to bake and sell,
Every coin saved, Will bring Tom home well.

For in the darkest times, compassion leads the way,
A vow to restore, A vow to protect
From the hands of sorrow, we'll make a brighter day,
Through acts of love and courage, we all connect.

Senator Bird, with a heart so kind,
Shelters Eliza, and alleviates her mind.
Guides her to safety, points the way,
On to freedom and a brighter day.

With every pie sold, a dream to fulfill,
Mrs. Shelby’s heart and our unwavering will.
This vow to Chloe brings hope to her eyes,
In the bonds of compassion, our strength lies.

For in the darkest times, compassion leads the way,
A vow to restore, A vow to protect
From the hands of sorrow, we'll make a brighter day,
Through acts of love and courage, we all connect.

Two hearts, one purpose, in a world so torn,
To heal wounds is where love is born.
In every act of kindness, a spark of light,
To guide us through the darkest night.

Shelby’s coins saved, each day a step,
Closer to Tom, and the promise kept.
The Senator’s aid, a guiding hand,
In compassion, together they stand.

For in the darkest times, compassion leads the way,
A vow to restore, A vow to protect
From the hands of sorrow, we'll make a brighter day,
Through acts of love and courage, we all connect.

Through different paths they walk, hand in hand,
The Senator and Mrs. Shelby, take a stand.
In a world divided, their hearts unite,
To bring forth justice, and keep hope in sight.

Lucy's Child
by Donald D. Dienst



Notes:
When the boat, creaking, and groaning, and puffing, had loosed from the
wharf, and was beginning slowly to strain herself along, the woman
returned to her old seat. The trader was sitting there,—the child was
gone!

“Why, why,—where?” she began, in bewildered surprise.

“Lucy,” said the trader, “your child’s gone; you may as well know it
first as last. You see, I know’d you couldn’t take him down south; and
I got a chance to sell him to a first-rate family, that’ll raise him
better than you can.”

Tom had watched the whole transaction from first to last, and had a
perfect understanding of its results. To him, it looked like something
unutterably horrible and cruel, because, poor, ignorant black soul!

the poor suffering thing that lay like a
crushed reed on the boxes; the feeling, living, bleeding, yet immortal
_thing_, which American state law coolly classes with the bundles, and
bales, and boxes, among which she is lying.

At midnight, Tom waked, with a sudden start. Something black passed
quickly by him to the side of the boat, and he heard a splash in the
water. No one else saw or heard anything. He raised his head,—the
woman’s place was vacant!

patience! ye whose hearts swell indignant at wrongs like
these. Not one throb of anguish, not one tear of the oppressed, is
forgotten by the Man of Sorrows, the Lord of Glory. In his patient,
generous bosom he bears the anguish of a world. Bear thou, like him, in
patience, and labor in love; for sure as he is God, “the year of his
redeemed _shall_ come.

The trader was not shocked nor amazed; because, as we said before, he
was used to a great many things that you are not used to. Even the
awful presence of Death struck no solemn chill upon him.

there was no help for it, as the woman had escaped into a state which
_never will_ give up a fugitive,—not even at the demand of the whole
glorious Union.

Night came on,—night calm, unmoved, and glorious, shining down with her
innumerable and solemn angel eyes, twinkling, beautiful, but silent.
There was no speech nor language, no pitying voice or helping hand




The boat creaked and groaned as it left the shore,
Lucy sat down, her heart heavy and sore.
The trader nearby, with a cold, callous stare,
Her child was gone, and despair filled the air.

Lucy, your child is gone,
Sold to a family, far away, anon.
Under the dark of night, under silent skies,
Twinkling down under solemn angels eyes


Tom watched in silence, the horror untold,
A mother’s heart shattered, the story unfold.
The law saw her as cargo, just bales and crates,
But her pain was real, and her love innate.

Lucy, your child is gone,
Sold to a family, far away, anon
Under the dark of night, under silent skies,
Twinkling down under solemn angels eyes

At midnight, Tom woke to a splash in the night,
A shadow slipped away, out of sight.
Lucy's place was empty, her pain set free,
Into the water, into eternity.

Lucy, your child is gone,
Sold to a family, far away, anon
Under the dark of night, under silent skies,
Twinkling down under solemn angels eyes


The trader felt nothing, used to such scenes,
The presence of death, part of his means.
But in heaven above, every tear is known,
By the Man of Sorrows, who calls us His own.

Lucy, your child is gone,
Sold to a family, far away, anon
Under the dark of night, under silent skies,
Twinkling down under solemn angels eyes

Who makes the trader? Who is most to blame?
Who supports the system, igniting this flame?
You make the public call for his trade,
Depraving him until he feels no shame.
In what world are you better than he,
When we set the demand and let this be?

Lucy, your child is gone,
Sold to a family, far away, anon
Under the dark of night, under silent skies,
Twinkling down under solemn angels eyes

Name
By Donald D. Dienst


Notes:



The river flows, with many dreams,
Changed by time, with busy streams,
Through waters dark, hearts are sad,
But hope and love can make them glad.
On the boat, I wander free,
With golden hair, just like a dream,
I see Tom there, he smiles at me,
I made a kind friend is what it seems.

I’m Eva, just five years old,
With violet eyes and a heart of gold,
Pale and frail, but full of grace,
I will light this world with my embrace.

I leaned over the edge of the boat,
To see the logs being loaded below,
Curious eyes, I watched with glee,
But then I slipped, fell into the sea.
The water was cold, it pulled me down,
I felt so scared, I thought I'd drown,
But strong arms came and assisted me,
Tom saved my life, and lifted me.

I’m Eva, just five years old,
With violet eyes and a heart of gold,
Pale and frail, but full of grace,
I light the world with my embrace.

I saw the pain in Tom's kind eyes,
With my dad, we changed his life,
Tom’s new master, our paths combine,
Together now, everything’s fine.

Tom saved me from the water deep,
In his arms, I felt so safe,
He’s so strong and kind to keep,
A friend I’ll love with every day.
"Papa, please buy him," I softly say,
"To make him happy, please, okay?"
My daddy smiles and then agrees,
To make Tom happy and put his heart at ease.

I’m Eva, just five years old,
With violet eyes and a heart of gold,
Pale and frail, but full of grace,
I light the world with my embrace.

I wish for Tom’s journey, a happy end,
With love and hope, his heart to mend.
In the sunshine, we'll find our way,
With smiles and laughter every day.

Of course, in a novel, people’s hearts break, and they die, and that is
the end of it; and in a story this is very convenient. But in real life
we do not die when all that makes life bright dies to us. There is a
most busy and important round of eating, drinking, dressing, walking,
visiting, buying, selling, talking, reading, and all that makes up what
is commonly called _living_, yet to be gone through; and this yet
remained to Augustine.



In novels, hearts break, and then they die,
Stories end with a tear and a sigh.
But life persists, from night to day,
Even when our hope fades away.

We move through shadows, lost in time,
In the busy world, we tow the line.
Eating, drinking, dressing, we proceed,
Living life, through every deed.

In real life, we don’t just die,
When all that makes life bright to us has said goodbye.
We carry on, through old and new,
When all that's called living, is left to do


Tom and Chloe, worlds apart,
Their love endures within their heart.
George and Eliza, apart they flee,
Chasing dreams of liberty.

St. Clare's heart, once filled with light,
Now shadows darken, day and night.
An unloving wife, constant strife,
His growing concern for his daughter's life.

We move through shadows, lost in time,
In the busy world, we tow the line.
Eating, drinking, dressing, we proceed,
Living life, through every deed.

In real life, we don’t just die,
When all that makes life bright to us has said goodbye.
We carry on, through old and new,
When all that's called living, is left to do


Hearts may break, but still they beat,
In the patterns of life, they find a seat.
Wandering, seeking, buying, and selling,
When the heart will mend, there’s no foretelling.

In real life, we don’t just die,
When all that makes life bright to us has said goodbye.
We carry on, through old and new,
When all that's called living, is left to do

So we live our lives with ache unbending,
In this world, it's never-ending.
Through this pain, we make our way,
Living life, day by day. (day by day)

"A New Life"
By Donald D. Dienst

The style should blend melancholic undertones with a sense of cautious optimism, capturing the essence of gothic music while maintaining the narrative flow.
Suggested Style: Emo/Gothic Ballad

Musical Elements:
Instrumentation: Use a combination of piano, strings (violin and cello), and subtle electric guitar riffs to create a haunting yet hopeful atmosphere. The piano can provide a melodic base, while the strings add depth and emotion. The electric guitar can introduce a slight edge to emphasize the emo influence.
Vocals: The vocals should be emotive and expressive, with a focus on conveying the emotional weight of the lyrics. The lead singer’s voice should have a slightly raw, vulnerable quality to it.
Dynamics: Start softly and build gradually, reflecting Tom's growing hope and the complexity of his new life. Use crescendos to highlight key emotional moments in the song.

Notes:

Lyrics:

Tom arrives at the grand estate,
Where hopes are high and fears abate.
Through gilded doors, a soul conflicted,
But in his care, He feels protected.

A new life begins, with the St. Clares,
Tom finds a home, with all new airs.
With cautious hope, he starts to see,
A future bright, yet still wary.

Eva’s laughter, pure and bright,
Her joyful spirit, a guiding light.
With every smile, she spreads her grace,
In her presence, a peaceful space.

Marie’s cold eyes, a distant shore,
A mistress frail, yet wanting more.
Her selfish ways, a constant strife,
Yet Tom endures, he learns her life.

A new life begins, with the St. Clares,
Tom finds a home, with all new airs.
With cautious hope, he starts to see,
A future bright, yet still wary.

Miss Ophelia, stern and fair,
St. Clares cousin, with strength to spare.
A Northern soul in Southern lands,
She guides with firm, yet steady hands.

Adolph’s pride, a butler’s role,
Vanity and envy in his soul.
He stands so tall, yet feels the sting,
Of Tom’s resolve, a humbling thing.

Through marble halls, where echoes sing,
Tom’s spirit rises, on newfound wings.
Each morning sun, a chance to pray,
For St. Clare’s heart to find it's way.

A new life begins, with the St. Clares,
Tom finds a home, with all new airs.
With cautious hope, he starts to see,
A future bright, yet still wary.

A new chapter turns, with heavenly grace,
his life a witness of God's face.
to serve his Lord before the throne
in every deed even when alone.

Philosopher’s Dilemma
by Donald D. Dienst


Notes:
“Religion!” said St. Clare, in a tone that made both ladies look at
him. “Religion! Is what you hear at church, religion? Is that which can
bend and turn, and descend and ascend, to fit every crooked phase of
selfish, worldly society, religion? Is that religion which is less
scrupulous, less generous, less just, less considerate for man, than
even my own ungodly, worldly, blinded nature? No! When I look for a
religion, I must look for something above me, and not something
beneath.”



In the silence of my study when the shadows grow long,
I sit and ponder what's right and wrong.
A life of luxury, built on others' pain,
In this gilded cage, where I hold the chain

Questions swirl, a tempest in my mind,
Truths I seek, yet answers I can't find.

Philosopher's dilemma, heart and mind at war,
In the mirror of my soul, what am I fighting for?
Intellect and conscience, clashing in the night,
In the depths of my conflict, I must find what is right?

I see religion is bent to fit every selfish fire,
and become less compassionate than my own desire.
When I look for a religion, I must look for something higher
And not for something that will bless me in the mire

Morality’s maze, winding through my soul,
Seeking the path, to make me whole.

Philosopher's dilemma, heart and mind at war,
In the mirror of my soul, what am I fighting for?
Intellect and conscience, clashing in the night,
In the depths of my conflict, I must find what is right?

Morality’s maze, winding through my soul,
Seeking the path, to make me whole.

Philosopher's dilemma, heart and mind at war,
In the mirror of my soul, what am I fighting for?
Intellect and conscience, clashing in the night,
In the depths of my conflict, I must find what's right?

Eva’s eyes, so pure, see the world so clear,
Her innocence and love, wash away my fear.
Yet, the weight of legacy, heavy on my chest,
Can I face the truth, and finally confess?

It is Religion that descends to meet the world’s embrace,
Yet I seek a higher truth, a purer grace.
No bending faith, no compromise,
In the search for truth, I must find the lies.

Philosopher's dilemma, heart and mind at war,
In the mirror of my soul, what am I fighting for?
Intellect and conscience, clashing in the night,
In the depths of my conflict, I must find what's right?

In this silent battle, only time will tell,
If I can break free from this personal hell.
The philosopher’s path, fraught with pain and strife,
I'm searching for the courage, to change my life.

"Reunion"
By Donald D. Dienst


Notes:
“Is God on their side?” said George, speaking less to his wife than
pouring out his own bitter thoughts. “Does he see all they do? Why does
he let such things happen? And they tell us that the Bible is on their
side; certainly all the power is. They are rich, and healthy, and
happy; they are members of churches, expecting to go to heaven; and
they get along so easy in the world, and have it all their own way; and
poor, honest, faithful Christians,—Christians as good or better than
they,—are lying in the very dust under their feet. They buy ’em and
sell ’em, and make trade of their heart’s blood, and groans and
tears,—and God _lets_ them.”

“Friend George,” said Simeon, from the kitchen, “listen to this Psalm;
it may do thee good.”

“Then, hear,” said Simeon: “When I thought to know this, it was too
painful for me until I went unto the sanctuary of God. Then understood
I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places, thou
castedst them down to destruction. As a dream when one awaketh, so, oh
Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Nevertheless I
am continually with thee; thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou
shalt guide me by thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. It
is good for me to draw near unto God. I have put my trust in the Lord
God.”

“If this world were all, George,” said Simeon, “thee might, indeed, ask
where is the Lord? But it is often those who have least of all in this
life whom he chooseth for the kingdom. Put thy trust in him and, no
matter what befalls thee here, he will make all right hereafter.”


"Reunion and Crisis of Faith"
Focus: George’s arrival, reunion with Eliza, and his crisis of faith.
Themes: Reunion, hope, doubt, faith, and comfort.

Reunited hearts in a moment so sweet,
In a Quaker house, George and Eliza complete.
With gentle hands, our fears are soothed away,
In this safe haven, we find strength today.

Rachel’s hands, they work with tender care,
Preparing for the journey we must dare.
Simeon’s voice, a calming, steady tone,
In this kind house where we know we’re not alone.

“With you, Eliza, and our child so dear,
We’ll face the future, casting off our fear.”
“Through trials deep, we’ll find a brighter way,
Our love and hope will never go astray.”

“Is God on their side?” George cried in despair,
“Does He see all they do, does He even care?
They’re rich, they’re happy, they expect heaven’s gates,
While we lie in the dust and are crushed by their hate.”

[Verse 4: Bitter Reflections
“They buy and sell, and trade our blood,
And God lets them, in this merciless flood.
They say the Bible’s on their side,
And in their churches, they take pride.”


“Friend George, listen to this Psalm, so true,
It may soothe your soul, bring peace anew.
When I sought to understand, it was too painful for me,
That is until I entered in to God's sanctuary.

It was only then that i saw their downfall
God had placed them where they could fall
He cast them down to their demise,
and when he awakes their image he will despise.

Yet I am always with you, guided by your hand,
Guided by your counsel, by your command.
Afterwards, you'll receive me in glory’s grand,
and In your presence forever, I'll stand.

“If this world were all there is, you might ask where’s the Lord?
But He chooses those with the least reward.
Trust in Him, no matter what befalls,
He’ll make it right, beyond these earthly walls.”


“With you, Eliza, and our child so dear,
We’ll face the future, casting off our fear.”
“Through trials deep, we’ll find a brighter way,
Our love and hope will never go astray.”

With trust renewed, I'll face the night,
In God’s guidance, I'll find His might.
Through trials deep, and paths unkind,
In His promise, peace we’ll find.

"The Escape"
By Donald D. Dienst

The Escape
By Donald D. Dienst




Notes:
Song 2: "The Escape"
Focus: The escape plan, the emotional tension, and the pursuit.
Themes: Determination, tension, solidarity, and survival.



"The Escape"
Underneath the moon's silver hue,
Silent whispers, shadows pursue.
Phineas guides with lantern low,
Through woods where the wild winds blow.

Hooves thunder and hearts pound,
The night's cloak is our battleground.
In the distance, danger looms,
Our path lit by the stars' silent boons.

Hooves thunder, hearts pound,
In the night, freedom is found.

Run through the forest, shadows in tow,
Chasing the dawn, where hope will grow.
Stars above, our silent guides,
Strength in unity, where love abides.

George, with eyes that burn like coal,
Grips his fate, his tethered soul.
Eliza clings to hope so thin,
A mother's love, her strength within.

Through valleys deep and ridges high,
We race beneath a starlit sky.
Each breath a pledge, each step a vow,
To break those chains that would bind us now.

Hooves thunder, hearts pound,
In the night, freedom is found.

Run through the forest, shadows in tow,
Chasing the dawn, where hope will grow.
Stars above, our silent guides,
Strength in unity, where love abides.


Tom Loker's shadow, a menacing blur,
Charged at George with reckless spur.
A gunshot splits the night in two,
Loker falls, his strength withdrew.

Phineas saw they were safe and sound,
Turned back to help, where Loker was found.
"Because after death comes the judgment,"
It matters not the mans intent.

Hooves thunder, hearts pound,
In the night, freedom is found.

Run through the forest, shadows in tow,
Chasing the dawn, where hope will grow.
Stars above, our silent guides,
Strength in unity, where love abides.

Across the rocks, we fly with haste,
Every moment, a breathless chase.
Dawn approach, lightens our load,
Our spirits lift, a brighter road.

Phineas returns with Loker in tow,
A testament to mercy, where compassion flows.
but for us, our path is clear,
Together we'll reach Canada, free from fear.

Hold tight to the dream,
Through darkness, our spirits gleam.
In the night, we'll find our light,
Freedom dawns within our sight.

Song: Prue’s Lament
By Donald D. Dienst


Music by Suno.AI intro music by Udio.


Prue, from the estate just down the way,
Her heart heavy, night and day.
She found Tom and shared her grief,
A life of sorrow, in liquid spirits seeking relief.

A mother who held her child so dear,
But in a world so cruel, she lived in fear.
Sold to a master, heartless and cold,
Couldn't nurse her baby, its cries uncontrolled.

In the shadows of despair, she found no life,
Turned to drink to ease her plight.
Lost her child, her heart forever worn,
In a world so cruel, her spirit torn.

Prue, owned by a family so harsh,
Forced to put her baby far, beyond her arms.
Her mistress said, “Your child’s too loud,
Put it in the attic, away from the crowd.”

The baby cried, night and day,
Prue’s heart broke, in every way.
In the silence, the baby wasted away,
And when she passed, so did her will that day.

In the shadows of despair, she found no life,
Turned to drink to ease her plight.
Lost her child, her heart forever worn,
In a world so cruel, her spirit torn.

Tom knelt beside her, in her darkest night,
Spoke of Jesus’ love, and the guiding light.
“Prue, there’s hope beyond this world’s despair,
In His arms, you’ll find a refuge there.”

“Prue, He suffered for us all, you see,
To give us hope, to set our spirits free.
There’s a place where pain will cease,
In His love, you’ll find your peace.”

“Tom, if heaven’s full of white folks there,
I don’t want to go, I couldn’t bear.
All my life, they’ve brought me pain,
In that place, I’d feel the same.”

Tom, with tears, replied so true,
“Prue, His love is there for you.
In His arms, there’s no more race,
Only peace, and warm embrace.”

In the shadows of despair, she found no life,
Turned to drink to ease her plight.
Lost her child, her heart forever worn,
In a world so cruel, her spirit torn.

Later, in a cellar, beaten and left alone to cry,
Prue’s spirit broke, and she closed her eyes.
Consumed by sorrow’s deep abyss,
She couldn’t grasp the hope within Tom’s bliss.

Tom prayed for Prue, his heart so wide,
“Lord, take her pain, be by her side.”
In the silent night, his tears did fall,
For Prue’s lost soul, he gave his all.

“Prue, He suffered for us all, you see,
To give us hope, to set our spirits free.
There’s a place where pain will cease,
In His love, you’ll find your peace.”

Song: "Dinner Table Reflections"
By Donald D. Dienst



Ophelia said, “Augustine, isn’t it awful, what happened to Prue?
You should do something; this cannot continue.”

Augustine replied, “You see a peek behind the curtain, a glimpse of their plight,
But there's nothing I can do; it's their prerogative, their right,
To destroy their own possessions, it’s a tragic, brutal sight.”

Marie then said, “Prue was beyond help, just a falling star,
Drunk and worthless, she wandered too far.
No pity for those who shun the light,
It’s a harsh world, Ophelia, that’s life.”

In the heart of the night, the clash of minds,
Different worlds and different times.
Augustine seeks to find a way,
In the shadows, truth will sway.

Ophelia exclaimed, “Marie, how can you be so blind and cold?
Prue’s story of sorrow needs to be told.
Whipped and beaten, left to die,
This cruelty makes the angels cry.”

Augustine replied, “Ophelia, your heart is kind, but laws are grim,
The owners have the power, the chances are slim.
To change this world, we need more than just will,
It’s a mountain to climb, a bitter pill.”

Marie then said, “People like Prue bring their fate upon their head,
They choose their path, that’s why she’s dead.
Sympathy’s wasted on those who fall,
We must think of ourselves, after all.”

In the heart of the night, the clash of minds,
Different worlds and different times.
Augustine seeks to find a way,
In the shadows, truth will sway.

Augustine spoke, “Marie, your words are sharp, devoid of grace,
Prue’s suffering wasn’t her choice to embrace.
Forced to leave her babe in an attic far,
Her cries unheard, beneath the stars.”

Ophelia responded, “This system, it must be brought to an end,
The laws of man need a change, my friend.
Every soul deserves a chance to rise,
In a world where compassion never dies.”

Augustine replied, “I don’t defend it, I simply state,
It's a complex world, with a tangled fate.
Let me tell you of Scipio, my hand,
A man of defiance from the African land.”

In the heart of the night, the clash of minds,
Different worlds and different times.
Augustine seeks to find a way,
In the shadows, truth will sway.

Augustine continued, “Scipio was fierce and bold, would not be tamed,
In the swamps he ran, his owner maimed.
He killed the dogs with fists so strong,
Shot and wounded, but I defended him from the throng.”

“Captured, wounded, I bought him at last,
Took him home to my own bed and dressed his wounds with care,
Healed his body, nursed him with kindness rare.”

“With gentle care, I helped him rise,
A brother now, before my eyes.
I offered him his freedom with papers in hand,
But he tore them apart, chose to remain and stand.”

“Scipio’s loyalty, his love so true,
Showed me what compassion could do.
In a world so cruel, a heart so pure,
Proved that kindness is the cure.”

In the heart of the night, the clash of minds,
Different worlds and different times.
Augustine seeks to find a way,
In the shadows, truth will sway.

“A few years later, the cholera came,
The plague took many, and I thought me the same.
Deathly sick, I lay within my bed,
It was Scipio who came when all had fled.”

“Back to health he brought me when I could have died,
But then the cholera took him, and although I tried,
I could not save him, and when he passed, I cried.
It's a complex world, with a tangled fate.
Some folks get it and others too late.”

Song: Eva’s Lullaby
By Donald D. Dienst


In the quiet of the evening, Eva sat so still,
With a calm acceptance, knowing Heaven's will.
While her family denied, she knew her fate,
Her soul serene, no room for hate.

Eva’s peaceful light, shining so bright,
In the darkest night, her spirit takes flight.
With a heart so pure, she’s heaven’s own,
In her father’s arms, she’s never alone.

To Uncle Tom she spoke, with a voice so clear,
“I understand, Tom, there’s nothing to fear.
I’d give my life to end their pain,
For every soul that’s bound in chains.”

Eva’s peaceful light, shining so bright,
In the darkest night, her spirit takes flight.
With a heart so pure, she’s heaven’s own,
In her father’s arms, she’s never alone.

Papa, don’t be sad, my time will come soon,
I’ll be with the angels and the bridegroom.
Promise me, you’ll carry on my love so true,
And set Tom free, by the stars above, for me and you.

Her kindness spread through every room,
Touched every heart, dispelled the gloom.
Tom admired her gentle grace,
In her eyes, he saw God’s face.

Eva’s peaceful light, shining so bright,
In the darkest night, her spirit takes flight.
With a heart so pure, she’s heaven’s own,
In her father’s arms, she’s never alone.

St. Clare held her close, tears in his eyes,
Eva’s words, her final goodbyes.
“Papa, when I’m gone, remember my plea,
Set them free, for love of me.”

Eva’s peaceful light, shining so bright,
In the darkest night, her spirit takes flight.
With a heart so pure, she’s heaven’s own,
In her father’s arms, she’s never alone.

"O, Eva, tell us what you see, what is it?" said her father,
A bright, glorious smile, her words were softer.
"O! love, joy, and peace," she sighed,
And with one breath, from death to life, she did glide.

"Farewell, beloved child, the eternal doors close behind,
We’ll wake to the gray sky, your light we’ll never find.
O, woe to those who saw you leave, to Heaven's gate,
We’ll miss your sweet face, now gone to your fate."

St. Clare's Redemption
by Donald D. Dienst


Week after week in the St. Clare mansion,
Life’s flow returned, but his heart felt abandoned.
Eva’s memory lingered, her voice called from above,
But sorrow's heavy weight kept him from love.

“O, Lord, I’m trying to see,
Through the veil of doubt that covers me.
God be my guide in my darkest night,
Help me believe, help my heart find your light.”

St. Clare read Eva’s Bible with tears in his eyes,
Thoughts of freeing Tom, to break the ties.
“Tom, I’ll make you free, pack your things to go,”
Tom’s joy and faith made his spirit grow.

“O, Lord, I’m trying to see,
Through the veil of doubt that covers me.
God be my guide in my darkest night,
Help me believe, help my heart find your light.”

Think, O Jesus, for what reason
You endured earth’s spite and treason,
Nor me lose, in that dread season;
Seeking me, thy worn feet hasted,
On the cross thy soul death tasted,
Let not all these toils be wasted.

“Master, your soul can still be saved,”
Tom’s faith shone bright, his spirit brave.
“We serve the Lord when we help his own,”
In every word, his faith was shown.

St. Clare began to see the light,
Started the papers, Tom’s freedom in sight.
But shadows loomed while this task wasn't done,
Remembering Eva’s light, his setting sun.

“O, Lord, I’m trying to see,
Through the veil of doubt that covers me.
God be my guide in my darkest night,
Help me believe, help my heart find your light.”

One fateful night there was a tragic fight,
St. Clare was wounded and losing his might.
“Tom, pray for me,” he earnestly cried,
As Tom’s heartfelt prayers rose to the skies.

“O, Lord, I’m starting to see,
Through the veil of doubt that covers me.
God be my guide in my darkest night,
Help me believe, help my heart find your light.”

“In the gates of eternity, black and white hold tight,
St. Clare’s soul found peace, in the Lord’s sight.
With one last breath, he called, “Mother!”
And so from death to life, he crossed over.

Eva’s light shone, guiding him home,
Leaving unfinished tasks, for others to own.
“O, Lord, I’m finally free,
In your arms, for all eternity.”

Shadows of Fate (Transition Song)

Verse 1:
In the silence after sorrow, as the night turns to day,
Tom’s heart bears the burden of his dreams in dismay.
Promises unfulfilled, with St. Clare’s passing breath,
In the quiet of the mansion, they prepare for what’s next.

Chorus:
Shadows of fate, cast a long and weary shade,
From hope to fear, our hearts are sorely swayed.
The auction looms ahead, with an uncertain dawn,
In the shadows of our fate, we must carry on.

Verse 2:
Rosa's tears fall silently, the order in her hand,
Fear of the whipping house, in this cruel, ruthless land.
Miss Ophelia pleads Rosas case to Marie but it falls on deaf ears,
Marie’s heart is hardened, against the mercys tears.

Chorus:
Shadows of fate, cast a long and weary shade,
From hope to fear, our hearts are sorely swayed.
The auction looms ahead, with an uncertain dawn,
In the shadows of our fate, we must carry on.

Bridge:
Promises of freedom, buried in despair,
Tom’s faith is his beacon, in this world unfair.
Miss Ophelia writes a letter, a plea for Tom’s rights,
But the path ahead is shadowed, as day turns into night.

Verse 3:
With the paperwork unfinished, Marie’s heart closed and cold,
Tom and others are marched off, to the fate they fear.
In the slave-warehouse waiting, their spirits to be sold,
Bound by faith and hope, through the long, dark cold.

Chorus:
Shadows of fate, cast a long and weary shade,
From hope to fear, our hearts are sorely swayed.
The auction looms ahead, with an uncertain dawn,
In the shadows of our fate, we must carry on.

Outro:
In the shadows of our fate, though the world seems bleak,
Tom's faith stands strong, his spirit is not weak.
Through trials and tribulations, their courage shines bright,
In the shadows of their fate, they continue the fight.

The Price of a Man Reprise
By Donald D. Dienst

In the crowded square, they gathered
shadows cast long and stark.
Tom stands tall and silent, sighs,
lives are sold in the dark.
underneath the auction hammer,
futures bought and sold.
Tom's faith remains unbroken
though, world grows cold (grows cold)

Faces blur with desperation,
voices cold and cruel.
Each bid a heavy hammer,
hearts crushed under rule,
the price of a soul.
A number, in a game with no remorse,
lives reduced to currency.
Traded without recourse.

What's the price of a man?
When the debt comes due,
numbers cold and calculated,
lives to pay it through.
In the echo of the whispers,
deals are struck by hand, and then
negotiated futures, what's the price of a man?
What's the price of a man?

Lagree steps forward, eyes like ice,
his bid is final and high
Tom's heart sinks, knowing now,
this place where hope comes to die.

Among the crowd, no friendly faces,
just the grim decree.
Tom is sold to a Legree's cruel hand.
His fate sealed to be

Voices raised, in silent anguish,
tears that never show.
A mother's heart is breaking,
though her child will never know.

In the cold light of the morning,
futures bought and sold.
Tom's unwavering spirit,
even as the world grows cold.

What's the price of a man?
When the debt comes due,
numbers cold and calculated,
lives to pay it through.
In the echo of the whisper,
deals are struck by hand, and then
Negotiated futures,
what's the price of a man?
What's the price of a man?

The cost of human kindness
weighed against the cost of sin,
in this broken place
hearts breaking,
though her child will never know.

In the cold light of the morning,
futures bought and sold.
Tom's unwavering spirit,
even as the world grows cold.

What's the price of a man?
When the debt comes due,
numbers cold and calculated,
lives to pay it through.
In the echo of the whispers,
deals are struck by hand, and then
Negotiated futures,
what's the price of a man?

What's the price of a man?

What's the price of a man?

Legree's Tyranny
by Donald D. Dienst



In the dead of night, through the barrens drear,
Tom’s unshackled hands, still chained by fear.
"Put on these rags, forget your past,"
With a heart so cold, and cruelty vast.

"Take off your boots, wear these coarse shoes,
Your past and faith, I’ll soon have out of youse."
In the darkness, Tom's Bible hid,
In his pocket, his faith amid.

Legree, a shadow, a storm, a blight,
A tyrant ruling through pure fright.
His heart, a void where darkness thrives,
In this realm, no hope survives.

Emmeline's eyes, filled with dread,
Legree's touch, a terror widespread.
The road, a mournful, twisted path,
Where hope and joy had breathed their last.

Dogs of fury, straining tight,
Ragged servants, a hopeless plight.
Tom, weary from the road,
Faced Legree's heartless, heavy load.

Legree, a shadow, a storm, a blight,
A tyrant ruling through pure fright.
His heart, a void where darkness thrives,
In this realm, no hope survives.


In the mill, Tom’s kindness sparked a light,
Among the weary, within their plight.
A Bible’s words, a whisper of grace,
In a land where evil permeates

Out of fury, a cruel command,
"Flog her now, with your own hand."
Tom stood firm, his spirit high,
"I’d rather suffer, I’d rather die."

"Servants, obey your masters’ will,"
But Tom's soul, it stood still.
"My soul’s been bought, it’s not for sale,
By one whose love will never fail."

Legree, a shadow, a storm, a blight,
A tyrant ruling through pure fright.
His heart, a void where darkness thrives,
In this realm, no hope survives.

Dragged away, to be beaten right
Tom's soul, a beacon amidst the night.
In the depths of despair, a light still gleams,
Against Legree’s dark, cruel schemes.

Dragged away, to be beaten right
Tom's soul, a beacon amidst the night.
In the depths of despair, a light still gleams,
Against Legree’s dark, cruel schemes.

Into the Swamps
By Donald D. Dienst




In the dead of night, where shadows crawl,
Cassy and Emmeline heed freedom’s call.
Running through the mire, hearts full of dread,
Seeking sanctuary from the torment they fled.

Oh, into the swamps, where shadows hide,
Legree’s vengeance, they’ll defy.
In the darkness, they learn to cope,
In their plan, they place their hope.

Legree stands with a wicked grin,
"Let them run," he says, "I’ll reel them in."
Gathering his men, with torches bright,
The hunt begins under the moon’s pale light.

Oh, into the swamps, where shadows hide,
Legree’s vengeance, they’ll defy.
In the darkness, they learn to cope,
In their plan, they place their hope.

Legree stands with a wicked grin,
"Let them run," he says, "I’ll reel them in."
Gathering his men, with torches bright,
The hunt begins under the moon’s pale light.

Oh, into the swamps, where shadows hide,
Legree’s vengeance, they’ll defy.
In the darkness, they learn to cope,
In their plan, they place their hope.

Cassy’s mind, sharp and clear,
The plan unfolds, a path to steer.
Doubling back, they find their way,
To the attic’s dark, where shadows play.

In the heart of the house, they hold their breath,
Silent in the attic, escaping death.
Legree searches, every hidden space,
But in the attic’s dark, they leave no trace.

Oh, into the swamps, where shadows hide,
Legree’s vengeance, they’ll defy.
In the darkness, they learn to cope,
In their plan, they place their hope.

From the attic high, they haunt his dreams,
Sounds in the night, apparitions’ schemes.
When the search is done, and he’s lost the trail,
They’ll find their freedom, behind the veil.

Oh, into the swamps, where shadows hide,
Legree’s vengeance, they’ll defy.
In the darkness, they learn to cope,
In their plan, they place their hope.

Legree, now desperate, sends for Tom,
"Find out what he knows, where they’ve gone."
With plans to torture him till his last breath,
Legree plots a fate worse than death.

Oh, into the swamps, where shadows hide,
Legree’s vengeance, they’ll defy.
In the darkness, they learn to cope,
In their plan, they place their hope.

Legree, now desperate, sends for Tom,
"Find out what he knows, where they’ve gone."
With plans to torture him till his last breath,
Legree plots a fate worse than death.

Oh, into the swamps, where shadows hide,
Legree’s vengeance, they’ll defy.
In the darkness, they learn to cope,
In their plan, they place their hope.

Cassy and Emmeline, hearts entwined,
In the attic’s dark, their courage shines.
For though Legree may hunt and pry,
They'll outwait the search before they try.

Martyr's Crown


Notes:

He sat his basket down by the row, and, looking up, said, “Into thy
hands I commend my spirit! Thou hast redeemed me, oh Lord God of
truth!” and then quietly yielded himself to the rough, brutal grasp
with which Quimbo seized him.

“Ay, ay!” said the giant, as he dragged him along; “ye’ll cotch it,
now! I’ll boun’ Mas’r’s back ’s up _high!_ No sneaking out, now! Tell
ye, ye’ll get it, and no mistake! See how ye’ll look, now, helpin’
Mas’r’s niggers to run away! See what ye’ll get!”

The savage words none of them reached that ear!—a higher voice there
was saying, “Fear not them that kill the body, and, after that, have no
more that they can do.” Nerve and bone of that poor man’s body vibrated
to those words, as if touched by the finger of God; and he felt the
strength of a thousand souls in one. As he passed along, the trees and
bushes, the huts of his servitude, the whole scene of his degradation,
seemed to whirl by him as the landscape by the rushing ear. His soul
throbbed,—his home was in sight,—and the hour of release seemed at
hand.

Tom looked up to his master, and answered, “Mas’r, if you was sick, or
in trouble, or dying, and I could save ye, I’d _give_ ye my heart’s
blood; and, if taking every drop of blood in this poor old body would
save your precious soul, I’d give ’em freely, as the Lord gave his for
me. O, Mas’r! don’t bring this great sin on your soul! It will hurt you
more than ’t will me! Do the worst you can, my troubles’ll be over
soon; but, if ye don’t repent, yours won’t _never_ end!”


Scenes of blood and cruelty are shocking to our ear and heart. What man
has nerve to do, man has not nerve to hear. What brother-man and
brother-Christian must suffer, cannot be told us, even in our secret
chamber, it so harrows the soul! And yet, oh my country! these things
are done under the shadow of thy laws! O, Christ! thy church sees them,
almost in silence!

But, of old, there was One whose suffering changed an instrument of
torture, degradation and shame, into a symbol of glory, honor, and
immortal life; and, where His spirit is, neither degrading stripes, nor
blood, nor insults, can make the Christian’s last struggle less than
glorious.

Was he alone, that long night, whose brave, loving spirit was bearing
up, in that old shed, against buffeting and brutal stripes?

Nay! There stood by him ONE,—seen by him alone,—“like unto the Son of
God.”

The tempter stood by him, too,—blinded by furious, despotic will,—every
moment pressing him to shun that agony by the betrayal of the innocent.
But the brave, true heart was firm on the Eternal Rock. Like his
Master, he knew that, if he saved others, himself he could not save;
nor could utmost extremity wring from him words, save of prayers and
holy trust.

“He’s most gone, Mas’r,” said Sambo, touched, in spite of himself, by
the patience of his victim.

“Pay away, till he gives up! Give it to him!—give it to him!” shouted
Legree. “I’ll take every drop of blood he has, unless he confesses!”

Tom opened his eyes, and looked upon his master. “Ye poor miserable
critter!” he said, “there ain’t no more ye can do! I forgive ye, with
all my soul!” and he fainted entirely away.

“I b’lieve, my soul, he’s done for, finally,” said Legree, stepping
forward, to look at him. “Yes, he is! Well, his mouth’s shut up, at
last,—that’s one comfort!”

Yes, Legree; but who shall shut up that voice in thy soul? that soul,
past repentance, past prayer, past hope, in whom the fire that never
shall be quenched is already burning!

Yet Tom was not quite gone. His wondrous words and pious prayers had
struck upon the hearts of the imbruted blacks, who had been the
instruments of cruelty upon him; and, the instant Legree withdrew, they
took him down, and, in their ignorance, sought to call him back to
life,—as if _that_ were any favor to him.

“Sartin, we ’s been doin’ a drefful wicked thing!” said Sambo; “hopes
Mas’r’ll have to ’count for it, and not we.”

They washed his wounds,—they provided a rude bed, of some refuse
cotton, for him to lie down on; and one of them, stealing up to the
house, begged a drink of brandy of Legree, pretending that he was
tired, and wanted it for himself. He brought it back, and poured it
down Tom’s throat.

“O, Tom!” said Quimbo, “we’s been awful wicked to ye!”

“I forgive ye, with all my heart!” said Tom, faintly.

“O, Tom! do tell us who is _Jesus_, anyhow?” said Sambo;—“Jesus, that’s
been a standin’ by you so, all this night!—Who is he?”

The word roused the failing, fainting spirit. He poured forth a few
energetic sentences of that wondrous One,—his life, his death, his
everlasting presence, and power to save.

They wept,—both the two savage men.

“Why didn’t I never hear this before?” said Sambo; “but I do believe!—I
can’t help it! Lord Jesus, have mercy on us!”

“Poor critters!” said Tom, “I’d be willing to bar all I have, if it’ll
only bring ye to Christ! O, Lord! give me these two more souls, I
pray!”

That prayer was answered!


Martyr's Crown

Verse 1:
In fields of toil and pain, Tom's quiet prayer did rise,
"In Thy hands is my spirit," with heaven in his eyes.
Seized by brutal thugs, yet a soul untouched by fear,
For a higher voice was calling, "Do not tremble, I am near."

Chorus:
Fear not those who break the body, they can't touch the soul,
For in the arms of Jesus, we are safe and whole.
With every stripe and brutal blow his faith stood firm and tall,
In the shadow of the cross, Tom gave his all.

Verse 2:
Dragged through scenes of torment, trees and huts did blur,
Tom's heart beat with the vision, his spirit did not deter.
"I know their plan," he whispered, "but my lips are sealed,
For I will not betray them, even if my fate is sealed."

Chorus:
Fear not those who break the body, they can't touch the soul,
For in the arms of Jesus, we are safe and whole.
With every stripe and brutal blow, faith stood firm and tall,
In the shadow of the cross, Tom gave his all.

Bridge:
In the darkened shed, where angels stood unseen,
Tom's prayers rose to heaven, his heart serene.
The tempter whispered treachery, but Tom stood firm and true,
For like his blessed Savior, his spirit broke through.

Verse 3:
"He's almost gone, Master," came the reluctant call,
But Tom’s words of forgiveness echoed through it all.
"Poor, miserable creature," he whispered in the night,
A mess in the darkness, a martyr’s inspiring sight.

Chorus:
Fear not those who break the body, they can't touch the soul,
For in the arms of Jesus, we are safe and whole.
With every stripe and brutal blow, faith stood firm and tall,
In the shadow of the cross, Tom gave his all.

Verse 4:
"Who is this Jesus?" the question from thoes who saw,
In Tom’s unconsious moments, some hearts began to thaw.
He had spoke of endless mercy, of love beyond the grave,
His words a path to freedom, the power to save.

Chorus:
Fear not those who break the body, they can't touch the soul,
For in the arms of Jesus, we are safe and whole.
With every stripe and brutal blow, faith stood firm and tall,
In the shadow of the cross, Tom gave his all.

Outro:
As dawn broke the horizon, the morning star did rise,
Tom’s breath grew weaker, but peace filled his eyes.
For a powerful and well-knit frame held the soul tight,
His spirit's slow release, a testament to the fight.

In the Name of Love and Courage
by Donald D. Dienst

Verse 1:
Through the China trees, a young man rides,
Driven by a mission, with hope in his eyes.
George Shelby comes with a heart full of hope,
Seeking good ol Tom, down the Red Rivers slope.

Chorus:
In the shadows of sorrow, a promise stands,
A young master searches, across distant lands.
With courage and love, he'll search till the end,
For the soul of a servant, a beloved old friend.

Verse 2:
A letter delayed, in the hands of fate,
Miss Ophelia’s news arrived far too late.
Tom sold at auction, but to who and where
To find out young George will have to travel down there.

Chorus:
In the shadows of sorrow, a promise stands,
A young master searches, across distant lands.
With courage and love, he'll search till the end,
For the soul of a servant, a beloved old friend.

Bridge:
New Orleans streets, George’s search led,
By chance, he finds someone who was outbid.
Traveling on to Legree’s plantation, with money in hand,
Determined to free Tom from this cruel land.

Verse 3:
Legree’s house, a den of despair,
George confronts the beast, in his dark sanguine lair.
“Where is Tom?” George’s voice, a fiery blaze,
In the shed, Tom lies, in his final days.

Chorus:
In the shadows of sorrow, a promise stands,
A young master searches, across distant lands.
With courage and love, he'll search till the end,
For the soul of a servant, a beloved old friend.

Verse 4:
Tom’s body broken, but his spirit soars,
He whispers of heaven, and eternal doors.
“Master George, you’ve come, but it’s too late,
The Lord’s got me now, and I stand at the gate.”

Bridge:
“O, I’m going to glory, come along with me,
See the angels beck'ning, calling me free.
See the golden city, the everlasting day,
In His arms, we’ll find our way.”
George, tears falling, kneels by his side,
“Don’t call me poor, for in Christ I abide.”
And with one last breath into death he slides.

Chorus:
In the shadows of sorrow, a promise stands,
A young master searches, across distant lands.
With courage and love, he'll search till the end,
For the soul of a servant, a beloved old friend.

Verse 5:
George asks Legree, "Will you sell his body to me?"
Legree sneers, "Take him, I don't sell the dead, you see."
“I’ll bury him proper, in a grave so deep,
And honor his life, in memories we’ll keep.”

Chorus:
In the shadows of sorrow, a promise stands,
A young master searches, across distant lands.
With courage and love, he'll search till the end,
For the soul of a servant, a beloved old friend.

Outro:
On a sandy knoll, shaded and serene,
They laid Tom to rest, where the air was clean.
George, on his knees, with a fervent plea,
“Witness, oh God, I will fight till all are free.”

A ghastly plan
by Donald D. Dienst


[Verse 1:
In the dead of night, whispers fill the air,
Ghostly footsteps echo, climbing down the stairs.
Cassy in a sheet, haunting with a plan,
A spirit of rebellion with freedom close at hand.

Through shadows and through fear, they find their way,
In the guise of ghosts, they break away.
With courage and with stealth, they haunt the air
Cassy and Emmeline, escaping thier lair.

Legree plagued by visions, a shroud of his past,
Haunted by his deeds, his terror unsurpassed.
He drinks to drown the echoes, but finds no peace,
For a soul like his, there’s no release.

Through shadows and through fear, they find their way,
In the guise of ghosts, they break away.
With courage and with stealth, they haunt the air
Cassy and Emmeline, escaping thier lair.

Legree’s house, a haunt of dread and gloom,
Plagued by his torments he hides in his room.
Like ghosts in the mists they haunt the air
Cassy and Emmeline, escaping thier lair.


In the early dawn, dressed in black attire,
Cassy and Emmeline, hearts afire.
They play their roles, a lady and her maid,
In the town’s quiet streets, their fears allayed.

Through shadows and through fear, they find their way,
In the guise of ghosts, they break away.
With courage and with stealth, they haunt the air
Cassy and Emmeline, escaping thier lair.

As the sun rises, a new dawn breaks,
Two souls find freedom, despite the stakes.
In the shadows they leave behind, a tale to tell,
Of courage and escape, from A horrible hell.

Song: "Freedom's Dawn"


The rattling wheels announced his return,
Master George is back, Aunt Chloe’s heart starts to burn.
Mrs. Shelby embraced her son with relief,
But for Aunt Chloe, there was only grief.

Freedom’s dawn is breaking, through tears and pain,
In the memory of the ones we’ve lost, we’ll gain.
A new day is coming, as we stand and sing,
For the joy and sorrow, freedom’s dawn will bring.

George took Chloe’s hand with a heavy heart,
“I wish I’d brought him home, but death tore us apart.”
George spoke of Tom’s last moments with tender grace,
His words brought peace to Chloe’s weary face.

Freedom’s dawn is breaking, through tears and pain,
In the memory of the ones we’ve lost, we’ll gain.
A new day is coming, as we stand and sing,
For the joy and sorrow, freedom’s dawn we'll bring.


A month had passed when all had gathered in the hall,
George with papers of freedom, thier names he did call.
Amidst sobs and tears, he set them free,
“But theres no need to leave, you can stay and work with me.”

Freedom’s dawn is breaking, through tears and pain,
In the memory of the ones we’ve lost, we’ll gain.
A new day is coming, as we stand and sing,
For the joy and sorrow, freedom’s dawn will bring.

An old man rose with trembling hands to the sky,
“Let us thank the Lord!” was his heartfelt cry.
Praise be the Lord, who sets the captives free,
Sound the trumpet in Zion for His Year of Jubilee.
Our chains are broken and debts forgiven,
By His grace, our liberty is given.
Freedoms blessing calls us to be just.
To walk in love and uphold God's trust.

Epilogue
by Donald D. Dienst


O, dear listener, read the signs of the times,
Human trafficking is modern slavery's crimes.
Gang violence rips communities apart,
Breaking lives and shattering hearts.

Who may abide the day of Gods return?
For in that day his judgement will burn.
He’ll appear as a witness against all oppression,
Breaking to pieces this world's transgression.

Addiction's chains bind tight and strong,
Substance abuse sings a sorrowful song.
Poverty and inequality are on the rise,
While the wealthy turn blind eyes.

Who may abide the day of Gods return?
For in that day his judgement will burn.
He’ll appear as a witness against all oppression,
Breaking to pieces this world's transgression.

Racism and hate the wounds of old,
Stories of pain in history told.
Domestic violence be a hidden war,
In homes where Gods love should soar.

Who may abide the day of Gods return?
For in that day his judgement will burn.
He’ll appear as a witness against all oppression,
Breaking to pieces this world's transgression.

The Earth groans under human greed,
Environmental cries that we must heed.
Sexual exploitation and abuse in the night,
Is Calling for justice, for wrongs to be made right.

Who may abide the day of Gods return?
For in that day his judgement will burn.
He’ll appear as a witness against all oppression,
Breaking to pieces this world's transgression.

Corruption in high places, our trust betrayed,
A Mental health crises with hope delayed.
In every prayer for His kingdom's come,
Remember, justice must be done.

Who may abide the day of Gods return?
For in that day his judgement will burn.
He’ll appear as a witness against all oppression,
Breaking to pieces this world's transgression.

A day of grace is still held out,
Repent and turn, leave behind your doubt.
Christ's love and justice, hand in hand,
Will Bring healing to this broken land.