Sojourner’s Words and Music

Sojourner Truth was renowned in her time for her speaking and singing ability. Although she could neither read nor write, she had people read to her, especially the Bible, and from this she developed her unique voice about how the world worked and how it could be improved. She sounds like a down-to-earth preacher in many of her speeches.

“Throughout her rhetoric she employed her characteristic sharp wit and her engaging narrative style as she sought to influence her hearers.” (Fitch and Mandziuk, p. 89)

“As one of the few African American women speaking publicly at the time, the renown and respect Truth achieved for herself truly were remarkable.” (Fitch and Mandziuk, ibid)

“Women leaders of that time were very impressed with her. Lucy Stone described Truth as ‘wise, unselfish, brave and good’ and Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote of ‘the marvelous wisdom and goodness of this remarkable woman.’” (Fitch and Mandziuk, p. 90)

We would like to give you, the reader, the flavor of Sojourner’s style and wit. The following are excerpts from speeches she gave over many years