I Am the American Negro (collection)/Moses Mitchell

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Ebony Under Granite

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MOSES MITCHELL
It was in 1917That Moses MitchellLeft Natchez, Mississippi,To help make the worldSafe for democracyThereby gainingA distinguished service crossFor conspicuous braveryIn the Argonne Forest
Eighteen years laterBack home in cotton countryMoses' life was savedWhen the metal decorationPinned inside his shirt pocketStopped a leaden bulletSheriff Pete Jones fired at the NegroBlonde Victoria BatesSwore assaulted herAs she hoboed through to New OrleansFrom Scottsboro, Alabama,And in so doing kept herselfFrom being picked up for vagrancy
How fortunate!Because he served his nation bravelyMoses now was ableTo die upon the gallows . . .
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