Let my People Go
The work recounts the biblical story of Moses and the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. It begins with God's call to Moses from a burning bush, where He reveals His identity and mission to deliver His people from suffering. Despite Moses' initial reluctance and self-doubt, God assures him of divine support and commands him to confront Pharaoh. Moses approaches Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites, but Pharaoh refuses, claiming ignorance of the God of Israel. This refusal leads to a series of plagues inflicted upon Egypt, demonstrating God's power and Pharaoh's stubbornness. Each plague intensifies the suffering of the Egyptians while hardening Pharaoh's heart against the Israelites' freedom. As the plagues escalate, culminating in the death of the firstborns, Pharaoh finally relents and allows the Israelites to leave. Moses leads them out of Egypt, guided by God in the form of a pillar of cloud and fire. However, Pharaoh changes his mind and pursues them to the Red Sea. Faced with the sea ahead and the Egyptian army behind, the Israelites despair. Moses reassures them, invoking God's promise of salvation. He raises his rod, and God parts the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land. When Pharaoh's army follows, the waters return, drowning them. The narrative concludes with the Israelites celebrating their deliverance through song and dance, affirming their faith in God's power and the futility of opposing His will. The work emphasizes themes of faith, divine intervention, and the struggle for freedom, encapsulating the triumph of the oppressed over their oppressors.
By James Weldon Johnson · First published 1928 · Genre: Religious Literature, Poetry, Historical Fiction · 1,888 words
First lines
And God called Moses from the burning bush, He called in a still, small voice, And he said: Moses -- Moses --
And Moses listened, And he answered and said: Lord, here am I.
What this Textopian page supports
Let my People Go is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Weldon Johnson, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Weldon Johnson
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Literature, Poetry, Historical Fiction, Drama, African American Literature
- Length: 1,888 words
- Structure: 1 section, 79 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Religious Literature — The text is a retelling of the biblical story of Moses and the Exodus, focusing on themes of divine intervention and faith.
- Poetry — The work employs a lyrical style, utilizing rhythm and repetition characteristic of poetry.
- Historical Fiction — It presents a dramatized account of a significant historical and religious event, blending fact with artistic interpretation.
- Drama — The narrative structure and dialogue suggest a performance aspect, akin to a dramatic retelling of the Exodus story.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Social Justice · Racial Equality · African American Experience · Protest Poetry · Civil Rights Movement · Historical Context · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language · Free Verse