Pews

The pews referenced in the first stanza serve as a symbol of the hypocrisy of the slave traders in professing to be religious men yet participating in an inhumane system. The pews are described as made of bones and specifically placed in New England, the birthplace of the modern United States.

Amistad

The Amistad is the name of one of the slave trips and represents irony. Amistad is the Spanish word for “friendship” and carries slaves from Cuba.

Ocean

The ocean represents an escape from suffering, seen through the slaves who choose to jump overboard and drown rather than be sold into slavery. The motif of water is often utilized to represent freedom and death in this instance is a form of freedom.