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...the power and broad interpretive style of a Bette Midler or Barbra Streisand... Sandy Cash has a very special gift, that more than a singer, she is an excellent storyteller. |
Banks of Freedom, by Sandy Cash 2008
One of my newest songs, "Banks of Freedom" tells the story of Josiah Henson, a former "model" slave who went on to become a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Henson founded "The Dawn Institute" - a collective farm, not unlike an Israeli kibbutz, that taught agricultural management and other skills to freed slaves. Henson also went on to become the real-life model for Uncle Tom in Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin".
I learned about Henson's fascinating life through "Bound for Canaan" - a wonderful book written by Fergus Bordewich. The book manages to weave a huge constellation of stories into a unified and inspiring narrative about this fascinating chapter of American history. No wonder that Fergus has been published in places like the New York Times and Smithsonian Magazine.
Fergus recently honored me with a response to my song, which he called "absolutely WONDERFUL both musically and as an inspired response to and and rendering of Henson's story."
Fergus has a new book out called "Washington: The Making of the American Capital." If it's anything like his previous work, it is well worth reading.
Copyright 2008 by Sandy Cash. All graphics, pictures and audio on or related to this page are under strict international copyright and their use for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without prior permission. All rights reserved.