Michael Row the Boat Ashore
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics

"Michael Row the Boat Ashore" is a traditional Southern Spiritual song that has its origins in the 1860s. The song is attributed to enslaved people who worked in the coastal regions of the South, where they would row boats across large rivers and bays to transport goods and supplies. The lyrics are rich in symbolism and meaning, as they tell the story of a journey towards spiritual salvation.

The song is full of references to Biblical stories, such as the story of Moses crossing the Jordan River in his quest to reach the promised land. The Jordan River is used as a metaphor for the journey to spiritual salvation, as it represents the crossing from this life into the next. The lyrics also reference the concept of heaven as a place of "milk and honey," where the faithful can find rest and peace.

The repetition of the phrase "hallelujah" throughout the song emphasizes the spiritual nature of the journey and highlights the need for community support in this difficult journey. The call for "Sister" to help trim the sail is symbolic of the need for unity and cooperation in the face of adversity. In this way, the song is a reflection not just of the personal struggle for salvation but the larger struggle of marginalized communities to overcome oppression and find a better life.