1. “Lick an Lock up done wid”
“Lick an Lock up done wid”... When did plantation workers in Barbados truly become free?

2. Study the following folk song....
"Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-Jin . De Queen come from England to set we free Now Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-Jin “
What is it about?
When do you think it was sung?

3. No more punishments (e.g. Being whipped, locked up)
Jin Jin = Queen Victoria
"Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-Jin . De Queen come from England to set we free Now Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-Jin “

4. When was it Sung? 1807 – abolition of the slave trade?
1834 – Abolition of slavery?
Answer: - in fact, the song was not sung after either of these laws were passed, but was sung in 1838 – with the abolition of the apprenticeship system

5. When was the song “lick an lock up done wid” sung?
I can describe the apprenticeship system and its impact on plantation workers in Barbados.
I can use original documents to reach conclusions.

6. Why 1838 and not 1834? In 1834 slavery was abolished
It was replaced by an ‘apprenticeship system’
This meant enslaved African-Caribbeans became ‘apprentices’
Although they were ‘free’ they were required to continue working for their owners for a period of time.

8. This document is a proclamation from the governor of Barbados explaining the Apprenticeship System.
As you read the document, look for the advantages and disadvantages for
plantation workers
Slave owners

10. This is a message from the Governor of Barbados to the House of Assembly.
Read the letter carefully
what does it show you about the consequences of the Apprenticeship system?
If the former slaves had ‘Twitter’ what do you think they might ‘Tweet’?!

11. 4) What do you think the response to this message should have been?
5) What do you think it actually was?

12. How much of it can you read?
The Reply
How much of it can you read?
What does the reply suggest about the House of Assembly’s attitude to the problem?

13. Complete the first part of the living graph to show how free plantation workers were by 1838.

14. Write a letter to a website which has captioned the song “lick an lock up done wid” as 1834 not 1838.
Point out their error and explain why the song was sung in 1838, not 1834.