Historically, the song was used as a rallying cry for enslaved people in the United States, who drew parallels between the Israelites’ bondage in Egypt and their own experiences.
It is widely cited that Harriet Tubman used "Go Down Moses" as a code song on the Underground Railroad to signal to fugitives that it was time to flee toward freedom. louis_armstrong_go_down_moses_lyricsdownload
Louis Armstrong ’s rendition of is one of the most celebrated versions of this classic African American spiritual. Originally recorded for his 1958 album Louis and the Good Book , Armstrong’s gravelly vocals and trumpet playing transformed the 19th-century freedom song into a powerful jazz and gospel anthem. Lyrics Summary Historically, the song was used as a rallying