“Harriet Tubman Leads to the Promised Land,” sung by Min. DeShay W. Freemyer-Jackson
At a recent worship service of The Gathering, A Womanist Church, Rev. Dr. Irie Lynne Session preached a compelling sermon titled “I Am the Revolution.” She cited activists like Maria Filipa de Oliveira and Selay Ghaffar to challenge us, proclaiming that we can all be revolutions.
At this service DeShay W. Freemyer-Jackson, Minister of Music & Worship Arts for The Gathering, sang about another revolutionary woman, Harriet Tubman. Here is DeShay’s powerful singing of “Harriet Tubman Leads to the Promised Land.”
When Harriet Tubman leads the way, setting people free,
they call her Moses of that day, setting people free.
The Spirit gives her faith and power, setting people free;
she rises in that urgent hour, setting people free.
With Spirit strong she risks her life, setting people free;
she helps the enslaved escape the strife, setting people free.
When Harriet Tubman helps those bound, setting people free,
they flee by Railroad Underground, setting people free.
Like Harriet Tubman we will rise, setting people free;
like her we will be brave and wise, setting people free.
Refrain:
Harriet Tubman leads to the promised land;
we will join her, setting people free.
Words © 2017 Jann Aldredge-Clanton GO DOWN MOSES
From Inclusive Songs for Resistance & Social Action
Min. DeShay W. Freemyer- Jackson currently serves as Minister of Music & Worship Arts for The Gathering, A Womanist Church in Dallas, Texas, and for First Christian Church in Granbury, Texas. DeShay holds a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School (Texas Christian University) with certificates in Black Church Studies and Gender and Sexual Justice and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Culver-Stockton College. DeShay recently contributed a chapter to Colors of Hope: A Devotional Journal from LGBTQ+ Christians published by Chalice Press, March 2022. DeShay has performed as a solo and collaborative musician with a host of instrumental and vocal ensembles in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Texas, providing music at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, LA, Illinois Music Educators Conference, and multiple schools, churches, and homes. During their time at Brite Divinity, they served as vice-moderator for the Brite Black Seminarians student association and served on the chapel worship committee as music liaison, worship leader, and student vocal ensemble director. DeShay is seeking ordination with the Mid-America region of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. DeShay’s interests center the importance of Womanism and its influence on theology/spirituality, Black/LGBTQIA+ culture, music, and food.