It is often associated with the Civil Rights Movement, with Odetta, who recorded it as part of the "Spiritual Trilogy", on her Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues album,[1] and with Joan Baez, who performed the song at the 1963 March on Washington.
[2] Baez has since performed the song live numerous times, both during her concerts and at other events.
"[6] Some versions have included a verse beginning with "No more tommin',"[citation needed] where the verb tom is a derogatory term denoting some black men's extreme submissiveness towards a white person or white people.
These verses were not part of the original composition, but instead added to the tradition of improvisation in African-American music.
Some contemporary folk singers have changed the refrain to a more spirited perspective - "And before I'd be a slave, I'll bury you in your grave and send you home to the lord for free" Similarly, during the 1964 presidential campaign, civil rights activists opposing the candidacy of Barry Goldwater changed the words to "And before I'd be a slave / I'll see Barry in his grave / And go fight for my rights and be free.