The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was released on World Narcolepsy Day to raise narcolepsy awareness, and is available to stream on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer or purchase on bandcamp and Apple Music.

“The Underground Railroad” original song by Di Spillane

For more than 25 years, Harriet Tubman was trapped in the bonds of slavery before escaping, traveling alone mostly under the cover of night all the way to Philadelphia in 1849. Once free, she became an operator of the Underground Railroad — a secret network of people, places and routes that provided shelter and assistance to escaping slaves. She then spent more than 10 years making secret return trips to Maryland, risking her life to lead her family and friends safely to freedom.

Tubman sang two songs while operating her rescue missions, changing the tempo of the songs to indicate whether it was safe to come out or not.

She suffered a traumatic head injury as a young girl, probably in the 1830s. The injury resulted in her developing “secondary narcolepsy” or “posttraumatic hypersomnia”, after which, she had a lifetime of seizures, headaches, visions, and involuntary sleep attacks.

Tubman had earned the nickname “Moses” for liberating so many enslaved people at great risk to her own life. Her last rescue mission was in 1860.

“The Underground Railroad” Lyrics by Di Spillane

This great tale began with a dreamer

The voice in her head showing the way

Courage and strength can be found within

Trust and believe as Harriet once did

Cross the line and be free

Fight for your liberty

Hands of strength will lead you there

To help you escape to the promised land

If you hear the dogs

See torches in the woods

If there’s shouting after you

Don’t you ever stop

If you want to taste freedom

Break chains of ignorance for one and all then

Follow Moses and be free

When she calls you through the trees

The North Star will light the path

All the way to the promised land

On the Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

Will set you free

The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

Will set you free

Ignorance gains no experience,

Choose not to be a slave

You will be welcome when you land

Albeit as a stranger in a strange land

Cross the line and be free

Fight for your liberty

Hands of strength will lead you there

To help you escape to the promised land

If you hear the dogs

See torches in the woods

If there’s shouting after you

Don’t you ever stop

If you want to taste freedom

Break chains of ignorance for one and all then

Follow Moses and be free

When she calls you through the trees

The North Star will light the path

And you will escape to the promised land

On the Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

It will set you free

The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

It will set you free

Di Spillane – vocals, harmonies, and backing vocals, Gail Page – harmonies/backing vocals, Rick Melick – piano, Denis Surmon – bass guitar, and Edward Pollard – drums. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Brett Sody at Sody Pop Recording Studios and Services, Norwood, South Australia. Released September 22nd, 2022.

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Published by Di Spillane

I am a musician who enjoys sharing the stories of other musicians, interviewing them to discuss their musical journey from its early beginnings right through to present day. I research, host, edit, and then release a weekly episode every Saturday morning. My listeners are musicians, music lovers, and people who enjoy listening to real stories about real people. It is a rare opportunity for a musician to discuss their entire journey with an interviewer who allows them to speak uninterrupted. Real people discussing Real stories is what Band It About is all about!

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