Old master went to preach one day,
      Next day he looked for me;
    I greased my heels and ran away,
      For the land of liberty. 
    I dreamt I saw the British Queen
      Majestic on the shore;
    If e’er I reach old Canada,
      I will come back no more.

    I heard that Queen Victoria said,
      If we would all forsake
    Our native land of Slavery,
      And come across the lake: 
    That she was standing on the shore
      With arms extended wide,
    To give us all a peaceful home
      Beyond the swelling tide.

    I heard old master pray one night,
      That night he prayed for me,
    That God would come with all his might,
      From Satan set me free. 
    So I from Satan would escape
      And flee the wrath to come,
    If there’s a fiend in human shape,
      Old master must be one.