America, a Prophecy by William Blake

In 1793, William Blake (1757-1827) composed and illustrated an epic poem titled,  "America, a Prophecy"  foretelling the fall of the Anglo/American empire for the sin of slavery.

Illustration by William Blake

An excerpt of that poem, "Let the Slave", incorporating Blake's Song of Experience, has been set to music and recorded by Van Morrison  and, in this notable instance, British jazz musician,   Mike Westbrook. It is a chilling warning as well as a paean to freedom and human dignity.