The Negro spiritual songs of the days of American slavery bring a great sense of nostalgia to many people. This is more than Gospel music, as the historical roots go back to the origins of the people who created them. Whether from Africa, Jamaica, Haiti, or other island nations, this music carries the character and courage of these amazing individuals.
Traditionally these songs have been performed without instrument accompaniment. Basically, the words are the message, although steel drums and the Reggae sound did bring much of this music into the main stream consciousness. Many of these old songs were recreated during the sixties and the civil rights movement, as it brought a sense of cohesion to those in the trenches of that social change.
These songs were the origins of Blues music which became popular in the early twentieth century. While the Blues did not always have a religious theme, this particular genre did nearly always carry a Christian message, but with underlying meanings. Some of these messages still harbored old Pagan beliefs from their countries of origin, but even more importantly were the codes contained therein connected to what is known as the underground railroad.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a song most people are familiar with. While it was recorded for the first time in 1909, the song itself can solidly be dated back to the mid 1800s. While most people will refer this song to Biblical scriptures and references to the underground railroad, ancient cultures often spoke of human souls being taken to the other side on a chariot.
The chariot is an archetype that was found not only in north Africa and Egypt, but can be seen in myths from Rome and Greece as well. Most all people, of all races, have ancestors who carried a belief that souls were carried from the world of humans to the other-world on a chariot. With this archetype, this song speaks to all people regardless of race.
Keeping with the song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, the words did clearly refer to the river Jordan. Many claim that this was code for the Mississippi or Ohio rivers, and that this verse was sung in the dark of night to let others know that it was time to cross. Possibly all are true, as many of these songs were part of the code shared by all slaves.
Many lesser known spirituals referred to either the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers. In fact, there was a song called Follow The Drinking Gourd which instructed people on how to find the Big Dipper, and follow it northward. With literacy being something forbidden to slaves, these songs served to educate not only other adults, but their children whom they might not be able to raise to adulthood.
For people all over the world, Negro spiritual songs are an interesting topic of study and enjoyment. The raw power and emotion conveyed by these songs can stir any heart, bring all of us to this point in human history. Slavery is, after all, a universal human experience, and all people have come together during such times to overcome their oppressors.
Traditionally these songs have been performed without instrument accompaniment. Basically, the words are the message, although steel drums and the Reggae sound did bring much of this music into the main stream consciousness. Many of these old songs were recreated during the sixties and the civil rights movement, as it brought a sense of cohesion to those in the trenches of that social change.
These songs were the origins of Blues music which became popular in the early twentieth century. While the Blues did not always have a religious theme, this particular genre did nearly always carry a Christian message, but with underlying meanings. Some of these messages still harbored old Pagan beliefs from their countries of origin, but even more importantly were the codes contained therein connected to what is known as the underground railroad.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a song most people are familiar with. While it was recorded for the first time in 1909, the song itself can solidly be dated back to the mid 1800s. While most people will refer this song to Biblical scriptures and references to the underground railroad, ancient cultures often spoke of human souls being taken to the other side on a chariot.
The chariot is an archetype that was found not only in north Africa and Egypt, but can be seen in myths from Rome and Greece as well. Most all people, of all races, have ancestors who carried a belief that souls were carried from the world of humans to the other-world on a chariot. With this archetype, this song speaks to all people regardless of race.
Keeping with the song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, the words did clearly refer to the river Jordan. Many claim that this was code for the Mississippi or Ohio rivers, and that this verse was sung in the dark of night to let others know that it was time to cross. Possibly all are true, as many of these songs were part of the code shared by all slaves.
Many lesser known spirituals referred to either the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers. In fact, there was a song called Follow The Drinking Gourd which instructed people on how to find the Big Dipper, and follow it northward. With literacy being something forbidden to slaves, these songs served to educate not only other adults, but their children whom they might not be able to raise to adulthood.
For people all over the world, Negro spiritual songs are an interesting topic of study and enjoyment. The raw power and emotion conveyed by these songs can stir any heart, bring all of us to this point in human history. Slavery is, after all, a universal human experience, and all people have come together during such times to overcome their oppressors.
About the Author:
If you are a fan of the old negro spiritual music, click this link to www.calvinearl.com. Additional details on Calvin Earl's important work can be found at http://www.calvinearl.com now.
No comments:
Post a Comment