The book contains a collection of anti-slavery-themed songs written by William Wells Brown, a prominent African-American abolitionist lecturer, novelist, playwright, and historian. Born into slavery in Kentucky, Brown escaped to Ohio at the age of 19 and settled in Boston, where he worked for abolitionist causes and became a prolific writer. His novel 'Clotel,' considered the first novel written by an African American, was published in London, where he resided at the time, before being published in the United States. Brown was a pioneer in several literary genres, including travel writing, fiction, and drama. Some of the songs featured in this book include 'Freedom's Banner', 'Ye Sons of Freemen', and 'The Liberty Ball'.