2 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A

Ten Million Slaves Lyrics

Rain and fire crossed that ocean
Another mad man done struck again
Rain and fire crossed that ocean
Another mad man done struck again

Sitting down here fallout shelter
Paint my walls, twice a week
Sitting down here fallout shelter
Think about the slaves, long time ago

Ten million slaves crossed that ocean
They had shackles on their legs
Ten million slaves crossed that ocean
They had shackles on their legs

Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been
Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been

Sun goes out, you'll be standing
You'll be standing by yourself
Sun goes out, you'll be standing
You'll be standing by yourself

Ten million slaves crossed that ocean
They had shackles on their legs
Ten million slaves crossed that ocean
They had shackles on their legs

Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been
Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been

Ten million slaves crossed that ocean
They had shackles on their legs
Food goes bad, food looks rancid
But they ate it anyway

Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been
Don't know where, where they're going
Don't know where, where they've been

Sun goes out, you'll be standing
You'll be standing all alone
Sun goes out, you'll be standing
You'll be standing all alone
All alone, all alone, all alone, all alone, all alone
Song Info
Submitted by
nattybumpo On Jan 20, 2010
More Otis Taylor
Album art
Nasty Letter
Album art
Hey Joe
2 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Add your thoughts...
Cover art for Ten Million Slaves lyrics by Otis Taylor

Rain and fire crossed that ocean Another mad man done struck again Rain and fire crossed that ocean Another mad man done struck again (This means people from the U.S. have come across the ocean to kidnap Africans to use them as slaves in the U.S.)

Sitting down here fallout shelter Paint my walls, twice a week Sitting down here fallout shelter Think about the slaves, long time ago (This, I think, is calling the slave cabins a fallout shelter or a place of safety. "Paint my walls twice week" this may be a cultural reference to the fact that slaves used to paint the walls of their homes blue, thinking that color was sacred and would keep evil spirits or the devil out of there home)

Ten million slaves crossed that Ocean They had shackles on Their Legs Ten million slaves crossed that Ocean They had Shackles on Their Legs (The chorus tells us the song is in fact about slavery)

My Interpretation

@SamH270 I agree with your interpretation.

Sun goes out, you'll be standing You'll be standing all alone Sun goes out, you'll be standing You'll be standing all alone

(I believe this is referring to when we die -sun goes out- that we will -be standing all alone- under God's judgement and those that brought, bought and abused slaves will be punished. The only consolation a slave could have.)

Cover art for Ten Million Slaves lyrics by Otis Taylor

Great song, Im only just now discovering this guy and i think this reflects his anti-prejudiced mindset as well as how all the past enslaved deserve redemption

 
Questions and Answers

Ask specific questions and get answers to unlock more indepth meanings & facts.

Ask a question...