In the slave song 'Steal Away,' the person hears a metaphorical trumpet sounding in his soul, symbolizing a call to freedom and spiritual liberation.
The person in the slave song “Steal Away” hears a trumpet sounding in his soul. This metaphorical sound represents a call to freedom and spiritual liberation, embodied by the phrase “Steal away, steal away to Jesus!” It is a symbol of hope and the desire for escape from the hardships of slavery, suggesting an imminent journey to a better place, whether in this life or the next. The references to the trumpet and spiritual calling are common motifs in African American spirituals and reflect the slaves’ use of music as a form of resistance and communication.