A UNIQUE African slave song preserved by Gloucestershire’s county archives has been added to the United Nations Memory of the World register.

The work song, or chant, comes from the sugar plantations of Barbados at the height of the transatlantic slave trade.

“It features voices of enslaved people as they tell of their brutal treatment at the hands of their master or “massa”.

The song was written down in the late 18th century by anti-slave trade campaigner Granville Sharp whose documents were all passed to his niece, who married a man from Uley, on his death.

Forty years ago his papers were deposited at Gloucestershire Archives, where they remain to this day.

The document was nominated by Barbadian music expert Roger Gibbs who saw a digital image of the song on Gloucestershire Archives’ website.

Roger Gibbs said: "I'm honoured to be associated in some small way with a remarkable piece of music that speaks volumes about a painful chapter in the history of Barbados.

“I hope the UNESCO recognition leads to more public interest in the folk music of the island."

It is preserved and protected for future generations and is recorded alongside some of the world’s most historically significant documents on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Memory of the World register which launched in 1992.

County archivist Heather Forbes, said: “I am delighted that the international importance of this unique document has been recognised by UNESCO.

“It’s one of only 427 documents and collections on the Memory of the World register.”

Pete Bungard, chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council and chairman of the Gloucestershire Anti-Slavery Partnership, said: “Although this slave song is over 200 years old, it is a timely reminder that the fight against modern day slavery continues across the world.

“Modern slavery is an international crime, affecting an estimated 46.8 million people globally.

“It often goes unseen and all organisations across Gloucestershire are working together to make sure we recognise it and take action.”

For more information on the Gloucestershire Anti-Slavery Partnership, visit aspartnership.org.uk/gloucestershire