Dear class,
I'm half-way done with Uncle Tom's Cabin and can hardly put the book down. I hope you are making progress. Please make sure you have at least read through Chapter 12 by October 8th. This week's blog question is similar to the American Hymns of the 18th and 19th century. This time, I would like you to focus on Negro Spirituals of the 18th and 20th century. Depending on how far you have read in Uncle Tom's you will notice there are quite a few spirituals and hymns described.
Please find a Negro Spiritual, copy the words (giving credit to source), list any history or facts about the spiritual and if you can copy a mp3 file of the spiritual on to your blog post. Finally, I'd like to hear your opinions on why Negro Spirituals are a form of American Literature.
Thank you for the chocolate treats. I'm hoping that if I put "I really would like a new car" you all will come through for me too...... yes?
There is no extra credit this week. Read, Read, Read Uncle Tom's Cabin! Work on Poetry Assignments!
Swing Low Sweet Chariot.
ReplyDeleteLead: Swing low, sweet chariot
Chorus: Coming for to carry me home
Lead: Swing low, sweet chariot
Chorus: Coming for to carry me home
Lead: If you get there before I do
Chorus: Coming for to carry me home
Lead: Tell all my friends, I’m coming too
Chorus: Coming for to carry me home
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a historic American Negro spiritual. The earliest known recording was in 1909, by the Fisk Jubilee Singers of Fisk University. It is also the anthem of the English Rugby team.
To answer the question of weather Negro Spirituals are American Literature we have to ask ourselves are Negros American? The answer is yes. And these people, should be credited for their works of literature for they a are rich part of Americas past.
Oh and here is an mp3.
Deletehttp://ranmp3.com/listen.php?id=NWnN5bd43J4&t=The Fisk University Jubilee Quartet ~ SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT (1909)
The Fisk Jubilee Singers were an interesting group. They sung as a fundraising effort for their college and were fairly sucesssful. (random fact)
DeleteYeah two years ago their was an adventures in odyssey on them it was really interesting.
DeleteAwesome, we did the same song. Shows how different people can interpret a song differently based on their experiences.
Delete.
ReplyDeleteMarching ‘round Selma like Jericho,
Jericho, Jericho
Marching ‘round Selma like Jericho
For segregation wall must fall
Look at people answering
To the Freedom Fighters call
Black, Brown and White American say
Segregation must fall
Good evening freedom’s fighters
Tell me where you’re bound
Tell me where you’re marching
“From Selma to Montgomery town
During the mid-20th century, a lot of hymns leaned towards the more secular spectrum. This particular song isn’t directly about the Gospel, although it relates Jericho to Selma (a city in Alabama used to register black voters). The song talks about how we should 'March around Selma like Jericho" in an attempt to forget about segregation and blacks being forced to vote in a separate city.
I believe Negro Spirituals are part of literature because they are a part of HISTORY. Each hymn tells a story of the treatment and hope of the Negros. Really sorry but I could not find a MP3 for the song.
also a neat correlation is that marching around Jericho seemed pretty silly and hopeless at the time but with God, all things are possible. If I had insurmountable odds like the slaves, I would be comforted knowing that the same God that destroyed the walls of Jericho was on my side.
DeleteI had a hard time finding historical facts for this particular song but I did find the inspiration. Spirituals were often about historical victories which encouraged slaves to keep working. Some even had hidden messages telling Africans when or where to run.
ReplyDeleteGo Down, Moses
When Israel was in Egypt’s land,
Let my people go,
Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
Let my people go.
Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh,
To let my people go.
Thus spake the Lord, bold Moses said,
Let my people go.
If not I’ll smite your first born dead,
Let my people go.
Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh,
To let my people go.
No more shall they in bondage toil,
Let my people go.
Let them come out with Egypt’s spoil,
Let my people go.
Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egypt land,
Tell old Pharaoh,
To let my people go.
Even though African slaves were original from...well... Africa, they are still an important part of American history. Their culture has evolved threw the years and become some of the most characteristic American styles such Jazz and ragtime.
http://ctl.du.edu/spirituals/freedom/source.cfm
ReplyDeleteFollow the Drinking Gourd (http://www.ibiblio.org/jimmy/folkden-wp/?p=7026)
ReplyDeleteWhen the sun goes back and the first quail calls
Follow the drinking gourd
The old man is a-waitin' for to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd
Follow the drinking gourd!
Follow the drinking gourd.
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd.
The river bed makes a mighty fine road,
Dead trees to show you the way
And it's left foot, peg foot, traveling on
Follow the drinking gourd
CHORUS
The river ends between two hills
Follow the drinking gourd
There's another river on the other side
Follow the drinking gourd
CHORUS
I thought I heard the angels say
Follow the drinking gourd
The stars in the heavens gonna show you the way
Follow the drinking gourd
This spiritual was first published in 1928. According to legend, an Underground Railroad conductor named Peg Leg Joe used it to give directions to slaves attempting to run away. The “drinking gourd” refers to the big dipper, which points toward the North Star. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follow_the_Drinking_Gourd)You can access an mp3 of this song here: http://www.ibiblio.org/jimmy/folkden-wp/?p=7026
I think Negro Spirituals are considered American because such songs only occurred in the United States. They were a combination of music and religion from Africa and Europe. But Africans who converted to Christianity in other parts of the world never evolved this form of music. Without the influence of American religion and music, Negro Spirituals wouldn’t have existed.
I like your last statement. Negro Spirituals were unquestionably part of American culture. They adopted American principles and embodied the idea of American abolition of slavery after the civil war.
DeleteThere is a Balm in Gilead (http://www.sharefaith.com/guide/Christian-Music/hymns-the-songs-and-the-stories/there-is-a-balm-in-gilead-the-song-and-the-story.html)
ReplyDeleteThere is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.
Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work's in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.
If you can't preach like Peter,
If you can't pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.
“There is a Balm in Gilead”, a traditional Negro Spiritual, was first sung sometime before 1865 as an expression of hope even in the midst of slavery. Although there are very few facts about the origin of this song, the lyrics point to a hope for supernatural healing and purpose in a hopeless situation. I would completely agree with the fact that these spirituals are American Literature; songs were one of the only means of expression for millions of enslaved African Americans. These songs capture the despair and yearning of millions of Americans, and should absolutely be included in our literature.
http://mp3skull.com/mp3/there_is_a_balm_in_gilead.html
Exactly. When we sing "praise God" in church, we think we can be sincere and understand the words, but these slaves were forced through hardship, so they truly understood what it meant to praise God in times of severe distress.
DeleteJust realized that I unintentionally did the same song as you, sorrrryyyy!!!! I do like your view on it though!
DeleteThe song gives me hope for the future, that no matter how discouraged or down I get, the Lord will revive me! :)
Soon I Will Be Done
ReplyDelete(lyrics found at http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=39466#559877)
Soon-a will be done with the troubles of the world,
Troubles of the world,
Troubles of the world,
Soon-a will be done with the troubles of the world,
Going home to live with God
No more weeping and a-wailing,
No more weeping and a-wailing,
No more weeping and a-wailing,
I'm going to live with God
I want t' meet my mother...(3 times)
I'm going to live with God
I want t' meet my Jesus...(3 times)
I'm going to live with God.
This was a very simple spiritual and I think that's what drew me in about it. I really couldn't find any history on it only that it was popularly passed around among slaves. That's what is beautiful about it, no one really knows where it came from or when it was written yet all Africans knew it by heart because they all could relate to it. It was simply speaking of a slaves yearning for Heaven.
I seriously urge you to listen to this recording of it. Totally pulled at my heart strings.
http://www.authentichistory.com/1600-1859/3-spirituals/1963_Soon_I_Will_Be_Done-Mahalia_Jackson.html
I think its fascinating that nearly all Negro spirituals are simple and rather modest. Despite their simplicity they are natural and inspirational. Do you believe Negro Spirituals ought to be classified as American Literature?
DeleteWhy shouldn't they be classified as American Literature? The slaves were just as much American as any immigrant or US citizen of that time. Their spirituals were a very defining and important piece of American History.
DeleteHold On:
ReplyDeleteKeep yo’ han’ on-a dat plow
Hold on ! Hold on !
Nora, Nora let me come in
Do’s all fast’ned an’ de winders pinned
Keep yo’ han’ on dat plow
Hold àn! Hold on!
Nora said, “Ya lost yo’ track
Can’ plow straight an’ keep a-lookin’ back”…
If you wanna get to Heaven, let me tell you how
Just keep yo’ han’ on de Gospel plow
If dat plow stays in you’ han’
It’ll lan’ you straiht into de promised lan’…
Mary had a golden chain
Ev’ry link was my Jesus’ name
Keep on climbin’ an’ don’t you tire
Ev’ry rug goes high’r an’ high’r…
Negro Spirituals such as ‘Hold On’ were songs of expression that affirmed a slave’s humanity. Despite constant oppression, slaves attained an invaluable understanding of servitude, lowliness and determination. Although the origin and background of this song are unclear, the song embodies perseverance in its simplest form. Negro spirituals ought to be classified as American Literature purely because they were inadvertently produced on American soil as a result of America’s vile practices.
http://mp3lx.com/negro-spiritual-mp3-download.html
Yes, though slaves were looked upon as inferior, it seems like they often understood and valued Christian ideas, like perseverance, far more than their supposedly superior white masters.
DeleteOh when I come to die
ReplyDeleteOh when I come to die
Oh when I come to die
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus
I heard my mother say
I heard my mother say
I heard my mother say
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus
Dark midnight was my cry
Dark midnight was my cry
Dark midnight was my cry
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus
In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus
I heard the mourner say
I heard the mourner say
I heard the mourner say
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus
This is such an amazing song because as slaves woke up, went to bed, and everywhere in between, they praised not just God, but Jesus. They truly embraced the hope of Jesus even in such slavery. This is truly A,Erica's literature because no other slaves anywhere else in the world knew who Jesus was. In America, even the negro slaves knew their savior. That's truly amazing.
*American literature. (Line 2) also:
Deletehttp://www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/give_me_jesus1.htm
It's amazing, in the hardest of times is when we cry out to God the most. We feel most dependent on Him when we feel like we need him the most. Yet we always need him. That's the one thing I'm envious of when thinking of the American Slaves back then, how constantly dependent they felt towards God.
DeleteI totally agree Sam, this song is fascinating because the slaves went through so much and still loved and praised God even though they were in bondage and could have blamed him for everything, they chose to endure and believe God had a plan for them.
DeleteSam, I absolutely love this song! Isn't it wonderful that Jesus saves everyone? He answers the prayers of the rich and the impoverished alike...He is the great equalizer. (I'm sorry this response is so late, Mrs. Butler).
DeleteWade in the water (http://www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/wade_in_the_water.htm)
ReplyDeleteMP3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg_8L96E3eU)
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water
See that host all dressed in white
God's a-going to trouble the water
The leader looks like the Israelite
God's a-going to trouble the water
See that band all dressed in red
God's a-going to trouble the water
Looks like the band that Moses led
God's a-going to trouble the water
Look over yonder, what do you see?
God's a-going to trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a-coming on me
God's a-going to trouble the water
If you don't believe I've been redeemed
God's a-going to trouble the water
Just follow me down to the Jordan's stream
God's a-going to trouble the water
"Wade in the Water" was published in 1901 by John Frederick Work II and his brother, Frederick J. Work. John Frederick Work II was the director of Fisk Jubilee Singers, a group of African-American a capella singers from Fisk University. "Wade in the Water" reflects both the Old and New Testaments. It relates to the Israelites' escape from Egypt in the Old Testament (Exodus 14). Relating to John 5:4, the chorus reflects the process of healing. Some sources say that the song gives explicit instruction on how fugitive slaves can escape (wading in the water to throw off bloodhounds). Moreover, "Wade in the Water" allows the listener to equate the slave population with the Israelites, people who are equally God's children and who are destined to escape oppression and find healing.
Negro Spirituals are a part of American literature because slaves were every bit as American as any other immigrant family was in those days. Although slave owners did not treat them equally, slaves indubitably existed in American history and contributed to American culture.
This is one of my favorite spirituals, it's still one we sing sometimes at my church. I think this one shows the true faith of the slaves, they knew that one day God was coming for them they just had to be patient and wait. I wonder if this is still applicable to our day-in-age?
DeleteThe Civil War is over and the slaves have been freed. Many of them want to forget painful memories and move on with their lives. In the first part of the 20th century Negro spirituals are being forgotten, but performers across the nation will bring them back to life.
ReplyDeleteDeep river, my home is over Jordan,
Deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into camp-ground.
Deep river, my home is over Jordan
Deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into camp-ground.
Oh, don't you want to go to that gospel feast,
That Promised Land where all is peace?
Oh deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into camp-ground.
(http://www.hymnlyrics.org/hymns_spirituals/deep_river.php)
The hymn “Deep River” was written by Harry T. Burleigh and was published in 1916. He based it off of the spirituals that he sang as a child on a slave plantation. He wrote “Deep River” with the express purpose of having it performed on stage by trained musicians. The Negro spiritual had evolved from an enslaved people’s expressions of sorrow and hope to a unique form of art.
Negro Spirituals allowed the slaves to remember Bible stories despite their inability to read. It was their history, a means of communication, and a way to express their misery without their masters catching on. In a way, spirituals are American literature. They are very similar to hymns, just with different authors. Yet for the majority of the 19th century they were never written down. I would say that they became literature when the spirituals moved from being mouth to mouth communication to being written down in the twentieth century. So, Negro spirituals evolved from being oral history to being American literature.
Oh dear, the format got all messed up. Sorry!
DeleteIt's so fascinating to think that the entire "literature" of slave culture was expressed orally. Do you think that this particular spiritual is talking about freedom or heaven?
DeleteTake My Hand, Precious Lord
ReplyDeletePerformed by Clara Ward
Recorded 1952
Precious Lord, take my hand.
Lead me on, let me stand.
I am tired, I am weak, and worn.
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light.
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, lead me near,
When my life is almost gone.
Hear my cry, hear my call.
Hold my hand, lest I fall.
Take my hand, precious Lord,
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand.
Guide my feet, hold my hand,
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
Lead me home.
http://www.authentichistory.com/1600-1859/3-spirituals/1952_Take_My_Hand_Precious_Lord-Clara_Ward.html
The lyrics were written from Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey in 1932 in response to the death of his wife in childbirth, as well has the death of his infant son. Tough times... The music was actually taken from another hymn "Maitland," written in 1834.
I believe Negro Spirituals most definitely define American Literature. Sadly, slavery was very much apart of America a couple hundred years ago, Negro's pouring their hearts out in these hymns represents what they went through, and the hope of Heaven which comforted them.
oh, sorry for being late, I thought I had already posted for some reason, anyways, my song is Swing low sweet chariot. (oh, and it's fro negrospirituals.com too :) )
ReplyDeleteSwing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home
I looked over Jordan, and I what did I see
Coming for to carry me home?
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home
If you get there before I do
Coming for to carry me home
Tell all my friends I coming too
Coming for to carry me home
I'm sometimes up, I'm sometimes down
Coming for to carry me home
But still my soul feels heavenly bound
Coming for to carry me home
This song has a special meaning to me, because it is my dad's favorite song, and he plays it often. Not only has it had a spiritual connection, but I have come to associate it with my father. My dad often tells of the time when his best friend saved a woman and her child in a bloody crash. Because of the blood from the woman's husband, my dad's friend contracted a deadly blood cancer, and dead a few years later. He asked my Dad to play this song at his funeral. So, this song is not only a representation of looking to heaven, but my father's friend "getting there before" him. To me it is a song about sacrifice, death, and our future in heaven.
Again, sorry I didn't post this earlier. :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBKOjQVWf9Y
ReplyDeleteThere is a balm in Gilead
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul
Sometimes I feel discouraged
And think my work's in vain
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again
Don't ever feel discouraged
For Jesus is your friend
And if you lack of knowledge
He'll ne'er refuse to lend
If you cannot preach like Peter
If you cannot pray like Paul
You can tell the love of Jesus
And say, "He died for all".
This spiritual speaks of a healing balm for those who come to Jesus. Many slaves most likely felt discouraged about their predicament, I imagine this song gave them great comfort as it should to us in our difficult circumstances.
Literature is defined as: "written works, esp. those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit"
Though this was sung, it is considered of lasting artistic merit. And to make it American literature, it was written/sung in America :)
Chorus (in bold):
ReplyDeleteThere is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead, To heal the sin-sick soul.
Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my hope again.
(Chorus)
If you can’t preach like Peter,
If you can’t pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.
(Chorus)
Don't ever feel discouraged,
'Cause Jesus is your friend,
And if you lack for knowledge,
He'll never fail to lend.
This song inspired the slaves too not lose hope and rise out of despair because there is a "balm in gilead for the sin sick soul."
Literature is:writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest,
American: You should all know this by now
Balm of Gilead is a form of American literature because it was formed in America and was held in the common interest of many slaves and other people because their despair and hopelessness bogged them down and this song raised them up withe hope. It was in the common interest.