Lord, They Took My Child Away [CF:111-40333]

In this poignant and stirring aria from Nkeiru Okoye’s celebrated opera Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed that Line to Freedom, Harriet’s mother Rittia laments her inability to protect her children from the masters’ abuses. “Life is a cruelty to an enslaved mother,” she sings, “Can’t protect my children one way or another.” Powerful as a standalone recital piece for contralto and piano, an optional trio of supporting voices from the original opera scene is also included for performance.