What was life really like for slaves in America before the Civil War brought them freedom?

We are taught to think that black people in America had a terrible deal as slaves in the Confederacy. What did the slaves themselves think about their lives at that time? “...People have the wrong idea of the slave days. We were treated good...” -Simon Philips, Former Slave (Alabama Narratives, Volume 1, Page 313 “…I remember the days of slavery as happy ones…” -Adeline, Former Slave (Arkansas Narratives, Volume 2, Part 1, Page 14) “…Them was good old days. Us would be lucky to have ‘em back again…” -Jasper Battle, Former Slave (Georgia Narratives, Volume 1, Page 71) “…Our masters were awful good to us. They didn’t treat us like we were slaves…” -Julia Haney, Former Slave (Arkansas Narratives, Volume 2, Part 3, Page 149) “…He was sure good to his slaves. He treated them as human beings…” -Laura Ramsey Parker, Former Slave (Tennessee Narratives, Volume 15, Page 62) “…We fare good in that day in time. Everybody ‘round there fare good. My master always was good to his slaves… If I could go back, I would go back to slavery and stay with my white folks…” -Sylvia Cannon, Former Slave (South Carolina Narratives, Volume 14, Page 189-194) “…Master Tom was always good to us and he taught us religion. He was the best man I ever knew…” -George Selman, Former Slave (Texas Narratives, Volume 16, Part 4, Page 15) “…Old Master Stone was a good man to us colored folks. We loved him…” -William M Quinn, Former Slave (Indiana Narratives, Volume 1, Page 155) “…One day a white man came riding through the county and told us we was free. Honey, did you hear that? Why, we always had been free…” -Nancy East, Former Slave (Ohio Narratives, Volume 12, Page 36) “…The poor white people were worse off than the slaves…” -James V Dean, Former Slave (Maryland Narratives, Volume 1, Page 9) “...I lived mighty fine in them days... Oh, them was happy days, I tell you...” -Elizabeth Thomas, Former Slave (Alabama Narratives, Volume 1, Page 380) “…I sometimes wish for the old days…” -Frankie Goole, Former Slave (Tennessee Narratives, Volume 15, Page 23) “…I sure would rather have slavery days back if I could have my same masters, ‘cause I never had no hard time then like I went through after they give us freedom…” -Georgia Baker, Former Slave (Georgia Narratives, Volume 1, Page 51) “...No, mam. It wasn’t so bad with us. The white folks were good to us... Massa Jess was the best white friend a n----r ever had...” -Oliver Bell, Former Slave (Alabama Narratives, Volume 1, Pages 27-32) “…Set the slaves free and us n-----s have a hard time ever since…” -John C Brown, Former Slave (South Carolina Narratives, Volume 14, Page 128) “…I cried a year to go back. It was a dear place to me…” -Charles Anderson, Former Slave (Arkansas Narratives, Volume 2, Part 1, Page 47) “...The old days were really the good times. How I wish I could go back to the old days when we lived at the Johnson’s landing on the river... But the old days? They’re gone...” -Charity Anderson, Former Slave (Alabama Narratives, Volume 1, Page 14) “…We didn’t have any hard times. Our owners were good to us…” -Mary Brown, Former Slave (South Carolina Narratives, Volume 14, Page 131) “...I sure was born in slavery times, and I wish to God I could get now what I used to have then—cuz’ then was good times for the black folks. These free n-----s don’t know what it is to be taken care of. We had plenty to eat and plenty to wear, and that’s more than what folks got now... Old Massa was good to all his n-----s...” -Tildy Collins, Former Slave (Alabama Narratives, Volume 1, Page 84) “…My memories of slave days was my easiest days. Slavery was pleasant for me…” -William Harrison, Former Slave (Arkansas Narratives, Volume 2, Part 3, Page 185) “…The treatment couldn’t have been better. Master was the best and kindest fellow that ever lived. He is in Heaven, for sure…” -Penny Thompson, Former Slave (Texas Narratives, Volume 16, Part 4, Page 103) “…I wasn’t so glad when freedom came. I was fairing pretty well in the kitchen. I didn’t think I’d ever see better times, and I haven’t…” -Aleck Trimble Former Slave (Texas Narratives, Volume 16, Part 4, Page 109) “...I was born a slave, but I ain’t never been a slave... all in all, white folks, then was de really happy days for us n-----s. Course, we didn’t have the advantages that we have now, but there was something back then that we ain’t got now, and thats security. Yussah, we had somebody to go to when we were in trouble. We had a Massa that would fight for us and help us... I sometimes wish I could be back on the old place. I can see the cool-house now packed with fresh butter and milk an