Phillis Wheatley: From Africa to America and Beyond

by Amanda Kemp

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
20 Tracks of African American spirituals, poetry and letters by 18th century poet Phillis Wheatley and original narration by Dr. Amanda Kemp.

Includes unlimited streaming of Phillis Wheatley: From Africa to America and Beyond via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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DVD
Powerful story of 3 female historical figures who defied the limits of slavery to change history. Uplifting and suitable for kids aged 8 and adults. Haunting African American spirituals, beautiful African dance flawlessly acted.

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Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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Subscribe now to receive all the new music Amanda Kemp creates, including 12 back-catalog releases, delivered instantly to you via the Bandcamp app for iOS and Android. Learn more.

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1.	Are you Ready? 02:49	lyrics	buy track
Are you ready? Please get ready. I tell a tale that's not pretty but real. Are you ready? Please get ready. I bring you tidings from letters without seal. Phillis Wheatley a slave celebrity in her time. Obour Tanner her fellow slave in a friendship sublime. Are you ready? Please get ready. I tell a tale that's not pretty but real. Are you ready? Please get ready. I bring you tidings from letters without seal. Get ready... Two little girls, friends fast met some say on a ship from Africa last Not a ferry that goes to a fro Not a cruise ship where the lucky may go But a slave ship with Africans packed Head to foot; chained leg to leg; The sick beside the dying, The dying beside the dead Are you ready? Little one and medium ones Black ones and brown ones pink ones and tan ones Frail ones and sound ones. Little ones and medium ones Black ones and brown ones Pink ones and tan ones Frail ones and sound ones Please get ready The tale I tell for you to hear Please get ready Of two little girls without parents near Please get ready The tale I tell for you to hear Please get ready Of two little girls without parents near Please get ready Phillis Wheatley, a slave celebrity in her time Obour Tanner, her fellow slave in a friendship sublime You, Gather round.
2.	Motherless Child 01:22	lyrics	buy track
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child Sometimes I feel like a motherless child Sometimes I feel like a motherless child A long way from home.
3.	Phillis Wheatley Stolen from Africa 01:23	lyrics	buy track
It is early in 1761. Two African girls are stolen from their homes and families. They miraculously survive the forced march from the interior of West Africa to the dungeons where they are chained underground in the dark for weeks until a slave ship comes to buy them in exchange for rum and guns. They move from the dungeon to a watery prison in the hold of a ship called “Phillis.” Having never sailed before, they get sick from the sway of the boat and from the filth on the Phillis. They vomit on each other. They defecate on each other. They hear women and children wailing and screaming; some praying for death. Sometimes they are led on deck where they must move, dance or be whipped. One little girl, the one with no front teeth begins to fade. The other girl holds her hand tightly and hardens her will. She will not die.
4.	On Being Brought From Africa to America Poem 00:48	lyrics	buy track
“On Being Brought from Africa to America” Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand That there's a God, that there's a Savior too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye, “Their colour is a diabolic die.” Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, May be refin'd and join the angelic train.
5.	Oh Freedom! 02:17	lyrics	buy track
Oh, Freedom. Oh, Freedom. Oh, Freedom over me over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave and go on to my Lord and be free!
6.	Phillis Wheatley Celebrity 01:22	info	buy track
7.	Phillis Wheatley's Preface to Her Book Poems on Subjects Religious and Moral 01:20	info	buy track
8.	On the Death of Mr. George Whitefield 01:39	lyrics	buy track
“Take him, ye wretched, for your only good, Take him ye starving sinners, for your food; Ye thirsty come to this life giving stream, Ye preachers, take him for your joyful theme; Take him my dear Americans, he said, Be your complaints on his kind bosom laid: Take him ye Africans, he longs for you, Impartial Savior is his due: Washd in the fountain of redeeming blood, You shall be sons and kings, and priests to God.”
9.	Have You Got Good Religion 00:46	lyrics	buy track
Have you got good religion? Certainly Lord! Have you got good religion? Certainly Lord! Certainly, Certainly Certainly Lord! Certainly, Certainly Certainly Lord! Certainly, Certainly Certainly Lord!
10.	To the Right Honarable William Earl of Dartmouth 01:06	info	buy track
11.	Farewell to America 00:44	lyrics	buy track
Susanna mourns, nor can I bear To see the crystal show'r, Or mark the tender falling tear At sad departure's hour; Not unregarding can I see Her soul with grief opprest: But let no sighs, no groans for me, Steal from her pensive breast.
12.	Phillis: Leaving England for her Mistress Susanna 00:52	info	buy track
13.	Letter to Obour on Losing Susanna 01:12	lyrics	buy track
Dear Obour, I have lately met with a great trial in the death of my mistress. Let us imagine the loss of a Parent, Sister or Brother, the tenderness of all these were united, in her, -- I was a poor little outcast & stranger when she took me in, not only into her house but in her most tender affections. I was treated by her more like her child than her servant, no opportunity was left unimprov'd, of giving me the best of advice, but in terms how tender!
14.	I know I Been Changed 02:03	lyrics	buy track
I know I been Changed I know I been changed I know I been changed The angels in heaven done changed my name.
15.	Phillis: The Bold 00:30	info	buy track
16.	Letter to Rev. Samson Occum 01:09	info	buy track
17.	Poem to the Honorable George Washington 00:59	info	buy track
18.	Letter to General George Washington 01:01	info	buy track
19.	Phillis Lives On! 00:38	info	buy track
20.	Pass it on! 01:02	info	buy track

about

This album is an Introduction to Phillis Wheatley in Music, Poetry and Letters. Phillis Wheatley was the first African American to publish a book and had her first poem published in 1766. She was enslaved most of her writing life and even when no one published her poetry she continued to write. This album is dedicated to all artists who get up everyday and fight to do their art. I thank our ancestors, especially Sister Phillis, and that Divine Presence which illumines all.

credits

released November 6, 2015

Vocals by Vanessa Ballard, Deborah Billups and Amanda Kemp
Piano by R. Nick Peterson
Arrangements by R. Nick Peterson, Deborah Billups, and Vanessa Ballard
Narration written by Dr. Amanda Kemp
Producer: R. Nick Peterson
Executive Producer: Amanda Kemp

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about

Amanda Kemp Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Ready to change the world? Let's do it together--one song, one poem, one conversation, one breath at a time. I'm a spoken word musical artist in deep apprenticeship to earth mama. I'm looking to co-create immersive experiences that bring together the natural world, music, poetry, justice and healing.
www.dramandakemp for more. ... more