We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Sally Hemings

from Afraid Of The Dark by Peter Sando

/

  • Streaming + Download

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

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Compact Disc in Digipack includes 11 page booklet.
    12 Original songs by Peter Sando

    Includes unlimited streaming of Afraid Of The Dark via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    7
    releases

    Get all 7 Peter Sando releases available on Bandcamp and save 10%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Where Are The Angels?, Reason To Live, Sequenced EP, Songwriter's Scarpbook, Let There Be Love, Afraid Of The Dark, and Creatures Of Habit. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $46.80 USD or more (10% OFF)

     

about

© Sandbag Music 2011
After I wrote my historical ballad, JOHN BROWN, Wenke suggested a song about SALLY HEMINGS, Thomas Jefferson’s slave mistress. Upon visiting Monticello, I was intrigued by Jefferson’s invention, the two-faced clock, ingeniously geared to operate on back to back faces simultaneously. With Jefferson having been both a slaveholder and at the same time a prominent proponent of freedom, it seemed that the muse was at work and the song was writing itself. I also overheard Hemings deniers mumbling in disgust about “that woman,” but DNA evidence has proven that Sally did indeed bear T.J.’s children, who were granted freedom while the more than 200 remaining slaves were sold at auction upon his death.

lyrics

SALLY HEMINGS
(Peter Sando)
Born as a slave Sally Hemings came of age
knowing only to obey
strange as it seems just a child of fifteen
trapped in a passion play
Old Master Tom he was wise to be gone
when the grapes grew on the vine
half sister of his wife
Sally served him through life
as a secret concubine

Tho’ words that he wrote would endure
equality life and liberty
it goes against the grain
and the tick and the tock
of the two-faced clock
can drive a man insane

Time passes slow down on Mulberry Row
where sorrow never ends
off in the night to the north pass for white
never to be heard from again

Tho’ words that he wrote would endure
humanity owned as property
it goes against the grain
and the tick and the tock
of the two-faced clock
can drive a man insane

Tom chose to die on the 4th of July
as they gathered round his bed
Sally lit the flame to protect his good name
and the letters never were read

Tho’ words that she wrote would implore
they sold the slaves
now he turns in his grave
as the tourists stop and stare
while Sally rests in peace
‘neath the Hampton Inn
and nobody knows that she’s there

credits

from Afraid Of The Dark, released March 1, 2012
Frank Hubach: Harpsichord

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Peter Sando image

Peter Sando Ringwood, New Jersey

Peter Sando emerged in the late 60's from the band Gandalf, formerly the Rahgoos. The GANDALF album was released on Capitol in 1969 and has become a psychedelic classic. Peter also sang lead on two singles as the Barracuda on RCA, including "The Dance at St. Francis" which charted briefly in 1968. Peter continues to write, record and perform throughout the New York/New Jersey area folk circuit. ... more

contact / help

Contact Peter Sando

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

Peter Sando recommends:

If you like Peter Sando, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now