我為什麼要介意泰晤士河邊的人們

介意那特轄之河的虛偽的水波

為什麼要在小小的恐嚇之風中畏縮

而那風是由被收買的人吹進我耳朵

儘管出身於泰晤士河邊虛偽的岸邊

儘管它的水流浴過我幼時的皮肉

俄亥俄將從我身上洗去它的污點

我生而為奴但我在走向自由

Why should I care for the men of Thames

Or the cheating waves of charterd streams

Or shrink at the little blasts of fear

That the hireling blows into my ear?

Tho born on the cheating banks of Thames

Tho his waters bathed my infant limbs

The Ohio shall wash his stains from me

I was born a slave, but I go to be free!