African Nova Scotian Teaching and Learning Resources

William Riley, with his daughter Rose standing behind him in the doorway, Cherry Brook

William Riley was known as a storyteller and singer of traditional African American spirituals and folk songs. Helen Creighton recorded his songs and published a number of them. She found that some of the spirituals she collected from Riley were known only to him, which suggests that he may have composed those himself. Riley told Creighton that his ancestry was partly Scottish, Spanish and French.

listen to William Riley's 'Auction Block'

Auction Block

No more auction block for me,
No more, no more;
[Riley, "oh poor some was dying then" — Rose, "yes"]
No more auction block for me,
Many thousand gone.

Jesus died on Calvary,
Oh yes, oh yes;
Jesus died to set me free,
Thank him ever more.

No more pint o' salt for me,
No more, no more;
No more pint o' salt for me,
Many thousand gone.

No more hundred lash for me,
No more, no more;
[Riley, "it makes my heart ache just to sing it" — Rose, "don't sing if it's that much effect on you"]
No more auction block for me,
Many thousand gone.

No more pint o' salt for me,
No more, no more;
No more pint o' salt for me,
Many thousand gone.

No more peck o' corn for me,
No more, no more;
No more peck o' corn for me,
Many thousand gone.

Jesus died to set me free,
Oh yes, oh yes;
Jesus bought my liberty,
Thank him ever more.

Helen Creighton Nova Scotia Archives audio cassette 2235

Date: 1948

Reference: Helen Creighton Nova Scotia Archives 1987-178 number 14-124

Questions to Consider

What do you think is happening in the photograph?

Who is shown in the photograph?

What type of event is shown in the photograph?

What do you think is the center of attention or focus of the photograph?

Why do you think this photograph was taken? Who do you think the intended audience was?

How do you think the photograph reflects the attitude and values of the time in which it was taken?

Do you notice anything unusual or unexpected about the photograph?

If the photograph depicts an event:

When do you think it took place?

Where do you think it took place?

Do you think this is a unique event or something that happened often?

If you think the event is unique, then what do you think make it unique?

If the photograph depicts a person or people:

Can you name the people in the photograph? What ages do you think they might be?

Is the person well known or famous for something in particular?

Where do you think the people lived?

What do you think the people's main activities were?

What sort of things can you tell about the people based on how they are dressed?