Negro Spirituals: The Pioneers of African-American Freedom Music
Mikalei Miller
Senior Division
Individual Exhibit
Process Paper:497
Student-Composed words: 470
Link to media: https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crhFbXVfCl2
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crhFb2VfCl8
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crhFbvVfCb2
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crhFbhVfC6z I became interested in Negro spirituals when I was introduced to them as a member of a children’s theater group. I generally enjoy listening to music, and I specifically enjoy the melodies of Negro spirituals. This year’s theme, Communication in History, allowed me to explore this interest and expand my research to discover the connection between Negro
Spirituals and newer African American musical forms. Negro Spirituals are particularly interesting to me for many reasons. First, I am an African-American female who felt drawn to connect this project to my African American history. Second, I am intrigued by the genius and creativity of my African American ancestors who were able to successfully communicate escape routes and hidden messages through music. Thus, I was led to learn more about the history of
Negro spirituals and other African American musical genres--particularly how they have been used to communicate messages of freedom and empowerment.
The 2021 National History Day theme, “Communication in History: The Key to
Understanding,” is addressed as I demonstrate the influence that African American music has had on freedom movements. I describe how enslaved African Americans used Negro spirituals to communicate messages of freedom. Many of these songs had hidden messages related to escape routes or other information that helped enslaved Africans reach freedom. For example, the song
Follow the Drinking Gourd was used to send secret messages to runaway slaves. The Fugitive
Slave Act of 1850 facilitated slave owners in their efforts to catch runaway slaves and deter slaves from escaping; the legislation mandated and incentivized their return to slavery. Slave owners even used dogs to hunt the fleeing slaves. Wade in the Water was used to warn slaves to get into the nearest water, so the hunting dogs couldn't trace their scent. Conductors of the underground railroad, like Harriet Tubman, utilized Negro spirituals to communicate messages about the path to freedom. Many enslaved Africans also used Negro spirituals to encourage themselves through arduous work days and to cope through the trauma they endured. Negro spirituals inspired African Americans to create other musical forms like Gospel, Blues, Soul,
Jazz, R&B and Hip Hop which have also been utilized to communicate themes of freedom and empowerment. Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come, Nina Simone’s I Wish I Knew (How it
Feels to be Free), and Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit are all songs that sustained freedom movements.
I used the internet to begin researching the origin of Negro spirituals and other African
American forms of music. I expanded my research to include methods African American slaves used to escape slavery. I learned about the Underground Railroad, The Fugitive Slave Act of
1850, Civil Rights and other protests during my historical background research. I listened to
Negro spirituals and learned about the covert messages in these songs. I displayed my research through a digital exhibit, because I felt I could best convey the story of these influential African
American musical genres upon freedom movements using an audio-visual platform. Annotated Bibliography
Primary Sources
Images
“Abolitionist Political Cartoon Attacking The Free States For Returning Fugitive Slaves To Their
Owners. Before The Passage Of The Fugitive Slave Law Of 1850 History -
Item # VAREVCHISL010EC060.” Posterazzi,
www.posterazzi.com/abolitionist-political-cartoon-attacking-the-free-states-for-returning-
Fugitive-slaves-to-their-owners-before-the-passage-of-the-fugitive-slave-law-of-1850-
history-item-varevchisl010ec060/.
This political cartoon gave me insight on the importance of the Fugitive Slave Act of
1850. The Fugitive slave act required that African slaves be returned to their owners and
people that captured and returned fugitive slaves were compensated. This encouraged
civilians to capture and punish runaway slaves. In order to avoid being captured, slaves
sung Negro spirituals to guide one another to freedom.
“Blues as Protest.” The Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200197401/.
This image shows imprisoned African American males singing Blues to get through the
arduous work they were forced to complete while incarcerated. Blues music originated in
the Deep South of the United States around the 1860’s by African Americans from roots
in African American work songs and spirituals. Prison laborers in the southern states
replaced slave labor after the Civil War, and sang Blues songs while they worked not
only to help get them through the day, but also to protest prison conditions. Blues as a
genre of music is often thought of as expressing heartbreak and emotions about
interpersonal relationships. However, many songs, like the men depicted in this photo
from the 1930’s, used Blues to express their despair as well as social injustices. “Fisk Jubilee Singers.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 May 2021,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisk_Jubilee_Singers.
This image of the Fisk Jubilee Singers is from 1875. This image is important to my
exhibit because after slavery ended, many African Americans no longer wanted to
associate with Negro spirituals. However, these singers traveled the country and Europe
singing Negro spirituals. They are responsible for keeping the history alive, since most of
these songs were passed on by oral history. As we know, Negro spirituals would go on to
influence the formation of many other African American music genres whose songs have
been used to protest unfair treatment of African Americans
“Harriet Tubman.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Mar. 2021,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman#/media/File:Harriet_Tubman_1895.jpg
This photograph of Harriet Tubman shows me what she looked like and gives me insight
into her lifestyle. Harriet Tubman was a courageous woman and helped dozens of slaves
escape from slavery. She is a role model in the African-American community and her
legacy will live on forever.
Margolick, David. “STRANGE FRUIT: Vanity Fair: September 1998.” Vanity Fair |
The Complete Archive, Vanity Fair, 1 Sept. 1998,
archive.vanityfair.com/article/share/de28935c-4e4c-40fa-bf06-b7a583ac9777?itm_
content=footer-recirc.
This is an image of Jazz great Billie Holiday singing her song “Strange Fruit” which was
released in 1939. Although Billie Holiday is regarded as one of the best Jazz artists, as a
Baltimore, MD native, she was also heavily influenced by Blues music. This chilling
image of her singing with a lynched man hanging from the tree speaks to her use of
music as a protest. Strange Fruit protested the lynching and unfair treatment of African
Americans. Ms. Holiday’s refusal to stop singing the song led to her being persecuted by Federal Agents until her death.
Morgan, Thad. “11 Anthems of Black Pride and Protest Through American History.”
History.com, A&E Television Networks, 23 June 2020,
www.history.com/news/black-music-slavery-protest.
This site was used for an image to display that even Hip Hop has been influenced by the
spirit of protest found in Negro Spirituals. Hip Hop was inspired by traditional African
music, and emerged in the 1970’s as an underground urban movement. Hip Hop artists
were profiled, targeted and vilified for broadcasting systemic injustices that plagued Black
America. This is an image of the rap group N.W.A. who rose to fame in the 1980’s with
the song F*** Tha Police. It became a protest anthem for many members of the inner city
regarding police brutality. Although the message of this song is overt, Hip Hop artists
often use slang, code words, and metaphors to describe their plight similar to covert
messages in Negro Spirituals.
Project, Zinn Education, and Zinn Education Project Email. “Claiming and Teaching the
1963 March on Washington.” Facing South, 1 June 2016,
www.facingsouth.org/2013/08/claiming-and-teaching-the-1963-march-on-washington.htm
This image shows African-Americans at the March on Washington during the Civil
Rights Movement in 1963. It is estimated that more than 250,000 people gathered at the
Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC to protest against economic inequalities and racial
discrimination in the United States. Spirituals played a major role in buoying the spirits
of protesters during the Civil Rights Era of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
“Underground Railroad.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Mar. 2021,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_Railroad#/media/File:Undergroundrailroadsmall2.jpg.
This image shows me different routes that Underground railroad conductors used to help
runaway slaves reach freedom. Many of these routes led to Canada. Songs
Brown, James. “Say It Loud (I'm Black And I'm Proud).” Youtube, uploaded by
1950sEnglishMusic, 22 Jul 2016,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY2N8BAmkTM.
This song is an example of Soul music being used in protest. Soul music
originated in the African American community in the 1950s and early 1960s. It combines
elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm, blues and jazz. Many Soul Singers
made popular protest songs including Nena Simone, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye. This
Soul song, by James Brown, is an example of music being used to empower and uplift the
Black community. The song promoted racial pride and confidence, it became an anthem
for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
“Follow the Drinking Gourd.” Youtube, uploaded by, SingAnAmericanStory,24 Feb 2012,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw6N_eTZP2U.
This song taught runaway slaves to follow the North Star in the Big Dipper constellation
to reach freedom. This song is an example of a popular Negro spiritual.
“Go down Moses.” Youtube, uploaded by Blues, 5 Jan 2016,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_vhBMWWnBE&list=PLeSjQNUK_kinZyzXeZhd
zcdeaK4YxYNsX&index=2.
This song is an example of another well known Negro spiritual. Harriet Tubman used this
song to signal slaves when she was nearby and helped them escape.
Legend, John.”Glory.” Youtube, uploaded by thinkcommon, 12 Jan
2015,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUZOKvYcx_o.
This Grammy award winning song is a modern interpretation of freedom music drawing
inspiration from civil rights music and negro spirituals. “Let My People Go.” Youtube, uploaded by Mike Swanson, 12 Sep 2015,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-skQwPQ1Q8w.
This Negro Spiritual song urges White slave owners to free the slaves. The song has
biblical references and a theme of liberation.
Sweet Honey in the Rock. “Ain' Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round.” Youtube, uploaded by
Sweet Honey in the Rock-Topic, 21 May 2015,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2wdkDaipNo
Sweet Honey in the rock is a Grammy-award nominated singing group. This song was
sung during the Civil rights movement as Black Americans assembled to march for equal
rights.
“Wade in the Water.” Youtube, uploaded by CedarMont Kids, 25 Jan
2017,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uEwp0FYoIU.
This song contained hidden messages to help slaves avoid being caught by search dogs
and captured by their masters. It prompts slaves to travel through the water to avoid
being tracked down by search dogs. Escape tactics from songs like,”Wade in the
Water” helped thousands of slaves reach free lands. Secondary Sources
Book
Archimede Pascal. Black American History, from Plantations to Rap Culture. Nofi Group, 2018.
The image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that appears on the timeline embedded in
my exhibit is taken from this book. Although it’s an artist’s depiction, it still
conveys the power and conviction that Dr. King displayed when he spoke. The
author discusses the power of music in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s
and cites some of that movement’s accomplishments. This reference was also
helpful for connecting the protest messages of a modern musical genre, Hip Hop,
to origins of messages in Negro spirituals. In particular, the author speaks of
songs of protest like Public Enemy’s Fight the Power which was intended to strike
people’s minds fighting for a radical sudden awareness in the Black community.
Images
“May 4, 2012 ~ African-American Spirituals.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 10 May 2013
www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2012/05/04/may-4-2012-african-american-spirituals
/10896/.
This image is of slaves escaping the plantation. It’s associated with a PBS story about
Religion and Ethics. It showcases the Morehouse College Glee Club who is one group of
singers who keeps Negro Spirituals alive today. This image makes my heart beat fast just
thinking about the dangers of escaping slavery; yet knowing how desperate they must
have been to be free is frightening. They only had hand-lights and moonlight to guide the
way to freedom. They were literally “running for their lives.” The PBS story discusses
some of the Negro Spirituals that were used on the Underground Railroad, and particularly the duplicitous nature of many of the songs. For example, songs with words
like “keep your lamps trimmed and burning the time is drawing nigh” were both biblical
and subversive, as well as other lines like “...walking to Jerusalem just like John.” Slaves
also used railroad references in Negro spirituals to hide their true intentions, such as, “...if
I got my ticket, then I ride.” This story also allowed me to hear the Morehouse Glee Club
singing some Negro spirituals. Along with the history learned it was an immersive
experience.
“A Plantation Was a Plantation - Fiction.” TLS,
www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/a-plantation-was-a-plantation/.
This image shows a slave escaping. I can only imagine the danger he’d experience while
trying to escape to freedom. I can’t imagine the miles and miles, days and days, of
walking and running he’s done. The dog is hot on his trail. If he’s caught, he risks being
whipped, sold or killed. Even if he makes it to freedom, there’s a chance he could get sold
back into slavery through the provisions of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.
“Blog #34.” Home - Browne Education Campus,
www.brownedc.org/teacher_pages/king_s_music_room/mr__kings_music_blog/blog__34.
This image shows a woman with an Afro representing the Soul genre. Afros became a
popular hairstyle in the 1960s and a symbol of racial pride. www.bibliopolis.com. “Negro Spirituals on Between the Covers.” Between the Covers, Belmont
Music Company, www.betweenthecovers.com/pages/books/422625/negro-spirituals.
This image shows African-Americans gathering and singing Negro spirituals. They often
used this form of gathering that was allowed by their oppressors to help runaway slaves
and those preparing to run to freedom. “MUSIC BLOG: The Legacy of Negro Spirituals Lives On.” Daily Kos,
www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/8/24/1560526/-MUSIC-BLOG-The-Legacy-of-Negro-
Spirituals-Lives-On.
This image shows a group of enslaved people singing, dancing, and playing instruments.
They are singing Negro Spirituals and seem to be enjoying themselves. This image
reminds me that enslaved people used Negro spirituals as a way to escape the horrors
they faced in slavery. This image also makes me wonder if they were singing a song with
a coded message for those who may be ready to try to escape to freedom.
The Old Plantation (Slaves Dancing on a South Carolina Plantation), ca. 1785-1795. Watercolor
on paper, attributed to John Rose. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum,
Williamsburg, Virginia, USA.
I chose this artist’s color rendition of slaves dancing on a plantation for my exhibit to add
color to the exhibit. It also shows enslaved people seeming to have a good time while
singing Negro Spirituals. The slave owners thought this was an acceptable form of
worship; however they were unaware that sometimes they were being deceived with
coded messages. These images make me proud as an African American because
enslaved people are usually depicted as shiftless and unintelligent, but knowing what this
image represents actually demonstrates their brilliance.
“'Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud (Part 1)' by James Brown Peaks at #10 in USA 50
Years Ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1968).” RetroNewser, 13 Oct. 2018,
retronewser.com/2018/10/19/say-it-loud-im-black-and-im-proud-part-1-by-james-brown-p
eaks-at-10-in-usa-50-years-ago-onthisday-otd-oct-19-1968/
This image is the cover art from the song Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud) by
James Brown. This Soul song became an anthem in the Black Power movement of the
1960’s. “The Revolution Is a Song: Healing through Negro Spirituals at Glide's Women's Center.”
Alliance for California Traditional Arts, 22 May 2012,
www.actaonline.org/the-revolution-is-a-song-healing-through-negro-spirituals-at-glides-
womens-center/.
This is a pictorial image of Harriet Tubman next to sheet music for “Steal Away.”
This Negro Spiritual had special meaning to Harriet Tubman as a conductor on the
Underground Railroad, because it could be used to notify slaves who wanted to escape
when she was coming. The image I copied was linked to a Women’s Shelter in California
that will be using Negro Spirituals to promote healing. Again, throughout history Negro
Spirituals continue to be a source of strength.
Google Search, Google, www.google.com/search?q=negro%2Bspiritual%2Bsong%2Bbook&client=firefox-b-1-d&
source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjume2Yu9LwAhVIOs0KHW4FCeIQ_AUo
AnoECAEQBA&biw=1600&bih=825#imgrc=18k1gsUds26VOM.
Vintage 1937 Negro Spirituals Song Book Belmont Music Company Chicago, Illinois
This image is used as the central image for my exhibit. It is colorful and lively and brings
good energy to the exhibit. It is actually the art cover of a Negro Spiritual Song Book
from 1937. This picture is helpful as the focal point which can draw others into my
exhibit. It its one of the first images I found in my research about Negro spirituals. I have
since learned, and want to share with those who view the exhibit, about this important
genre of music. Negro spirituals were created by enslaved African Americans who
combined European hymns and African musical elements. These songs were often used to help slaves communicate in secret and unite through music. Additionally, the spiritual
has given birth to a number of American music genres, including Blues, Jazz and Gospel.
Interview
Gibbs, Carroll. Personal interview. 14 May 2021
I was referred to Pastor Carroll Gibbs of Israel Bethel A.M.E. Church, located on Capitol
Hill in Washington DC, by my Real World History teacher. He knows Pastor Gibbs and
suggested that he may have helpful information regarding Negro Spirituals and the Black
Church. I performed a telephone interview with the Pastor. He gave insight on his view
on the connection between freedom movements, modern music, and Negro spirituals.
Pastor Gibbs explained how Negro spirituals continue to inspire activism and bravery. He
also described how Negro spirituals were a fundamental part of the Black church. He
explains the direct link between freedom/ protest music and Negro spirituals. This
interview was valuable because Pastor Gibbs helped link the role of Negro Spirituals as a
form of expression--Black Protest Music-- from the distant past to even current protest
movements. He also further proved my thesis connecting the influence of Negro
Spirituals to many African American music genres.
Timelines
“Timeline of Jazz Chart.” Freelancer,
www.freelancer.com/contest/Timeline-of-jazz-chart-908174?w=f&ngsw-bypass=.
This timeline provided me with details about the evolution in American- Jazz music.
It gave very detailed information on the origin of many jazz styles. It was helpful in
showing information about the origin of Blues as well. It referenced traditional African
music as the source for all these musical styles. “JACK BLACK CHART: School of Rock, Rock and Roll History, Rock Music History.”
Pinterest, www.pinterest.com/pin/399553798160988185/.
This timeline was not very useful. It was crowded and dealt with many music genres that
are not pertinent to this exhibit. Although it displayed Blues and Jazz as cornerstones of
many of the emerging American music genres, there wasn’t a mention of Negro
Spirituals.
“An American Music Timeline Beginning in the 1930s. Preview Our Children's History
DVD Click on Pin: Tv Musical, Musical Film, History.” Pinterest, 11 Apr. 2021,
www.pinterest.com/pin/484207397413694630/.
This timeline was creative and visually appealing to me. I would’ve liked to create one
similar, however I don’t have the technical skill. I was inspired to incorporate pictures
into my timeline after seeing this one.
Websites
History Official Site of Negro Spirituals, Antique Gospel Music,
www.negrospirituals.com/history.htm.
This source taught me that “corn ditties” were a precursor to negro spirituals. I also
learned that slaves used music to cope with the hardships they faced in life.
Classics For Kids, www.classicsforkids.com/music/music_freedom.php.
This source taught me that Negro spirituals were encouraging and brought people
together. I also learned that one short term effect of Negro spirituals was that the hidden
messages in these songs contributed to the successful escapes of many African
Americans. “African American Spirituals.” The Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200197495/.
This source described how Harriet Tubman, a well known conductor of the underground
railroad, used Negro spirituals to communicate escape routes. Music was a central part of
African culture that many slaves brought with them to the Americas. Slave owners
frowned upon the slaves African-influenced way of worship. They deemed
it as wild and idolatrous. Since their traditional forms of musical expression were
forbidden, enslaved Africans created Negro Spirituals. Their oppressors thought they
were only singing Christian songs or work songs, but they coded messages in these
Negro Spirituals or plantation songs, that helped many slaves escape to freedom.
“African American Gospel: Ritual and Worship: Musical Styles: Articles and Essays:
The Library of Congress Celebrates the Songs of America: Digital Collections :Library
of Congress.” The Library of Congress,
www.loc.gov/collections/songs-of-america/articles-and-essays/musical-styles/ritual-and-
worship/african-american-gospel.
Gospel music is a unique religious-based genre of music that is often sung in the Black
church. It was directly influenced by Negro spirituals and is also one of the earliest
forms of American music. Its origins date back to 19th Century, although it’s rise to
popularity began in the 1930’s. Gospel music continued on the tradition of Negro
Spirituals as sacred Black Music. Many of the protestors that fought in the Civil Rights
Movements of the 1950’s and 1960’s got their strength from the Black Church and Gospel music. Ansdiscog. “The Negro Spiritual.” THE SPIRITUALS DATABASE, 12 Feb. 2019,
spirituals-database.com/the-negro-spiritual/.
This source describes how Africans were forced to adapt to their environment during
slavery and create a new culture. They also had to build from their African roots and
create new forms of music, art and food.
“Appendix.” "Follow the Drinking Gourd": Appendix – Teachers' Guide,
www.followthedrinkinggourd.org/Appendix_Teachers_Guide.htm.
This source taught me that “Follow the Drinking Gourd” is a popular Negro spiritual.
I also learned that the song references the “Big Dipper.'' Through the song slaves were
prompted to follow the North Star in the Big Dipper constellation to reach freedom.
“Blues as Protest.” The Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200197401/.
Blues music is a popular African American musical form derived from Negro spiritual
songs. It originated towards the end of the 19th century and grew in popularity into the
early 20th century. This source describes how many prisoner laborers and social justice
activists sung Blues songs as a form of protest and resistance.
“Blues.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 6 May 2021,
www.britannica.com/art/blues-music.
Blues developed in the southern United States during Reconstruction. It was heavily
influenced by work songs, church music, and folk songs.
Crimmins, Peter. “Underground Railroad Expert Decodes Songs That Held Practical Advice for
Fleeing Slaves.” WHYY, WHYY, 16 Oct. 2014,
whyy.org/articles/underground-railroad-expert-decodes-songs-with-practical-advice-for-
fleeing-slaves/. This source taught me that secret messages about directions and other advice to reach
freedom were hidden in songs like,”I Got Shoes” and “I Got My Ticket.” Maps and
hidden messages were also communicated through quilts and tap dancing which
mirrored African drumming.
DTugui, et al. “25 Black Gospel Songs That Have Their Roots in Slavery.” Black Excellence, 16
July 2020, blackexcellence.com/black-gospel-songs/.
This article lists over 20 popular songs that originated from slavery and the Negro
Spirituals that were sung at that time. Negro spirituals strongly influenced the formation
of gospel music.
“The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Preserving African American Spirituals.” Smithsonian Music, 17 Oct.
2018, music.si.edu/story/fisk-jubilee-singers-preserving-african-american-spirituals.
In this source the writer provides details about a popular singing group called the
“Fisk Jubilee Singers.” The singing group was assembled by nine students from
Fisk University in 1871. They helped popularize Negro spirituals and spread them
throughout Europe and the Americas.
“Harriet Tubman.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service,
www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1535.html.
This source describes the bravery and perseverance of Harriet Tubman during the 19th
century. She risked her life helping many slaves escape to freedom and she used Negro
spirituals to aid her escapes.
Jason M. “The Underground Railroad: 40 Incredible Facts You Probably Didn't Know.” Funny
Pictures, Quotes, Memes, Funny Images, Funny Jokes, Funny Photos, 14 Aug. 2019,
funnyand.com/the-underground-railroad-40-incredible-facts-you-probably-didnt-know/.
This image shows slaves escaping through underground railroad routes.The imagery evokes intense emotion when pondering the emotions the runaway slaves’ must have
felt--fear, exhaustion, determination, hope, and excitement once freedom was near.
Johnson, David Brent. “Wade In The Water: 5 Jazz Takes On Spirituals.” NPR, NPR, 5 Dec. 2013,
www.npr.org/sections/ablogsupreme/2013/12/04/248888432/wade-in-the-water-5-jazz-
takes-on-spirituals.
In this source I learned about the song “Wade in the Water”. The song secretly guided
runaway slaves to travel in water to avoid being caught by slave catchers and search
dogs.
Morgan, Thad. “11 Anthems of Black Pride and Protest Through American History.”
History.com, A&E Television Networks, 23 June 2020,
www.history.com/news/black-music-slavery-protest.
This source depicts 11 different musical anthems with themes of racial pride and
resistance. The genres span from funk music to ballads.
“Negro Spirituals Complex as Code They Represented.” Home,
www.holycommunion.org/notes/posts/negro-spirituals-complex-as-code-they-represented
This source described how many slaves adopted their master’s religion, Christianity.
Enslaved Africans were forbidden to practice their native religions. Many of them found
familiarity and hope in Christianity. Religion played a major role in the lives of slaves.
The slaves used their new religion as a source of faith and strength.
The Role of the Negro Spiritual in the Civil Rights Movement | Grinnell Magazine,
magazine.grinnell.edu/summerfest/2016/role-of-negro-spiritual.
In this article I learned that music played a pivotal role in Black liberation during the
Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s. The Black Power movement arose in
direct opposition to White supremacy and anti-blackness. “Singing in Slavery: Songs of Survival, Songs of Freedom.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service,
www.pbs.org/mercy-street/blogs/mercy-street-revealed/songs-of-survival-and-songs-of-
freedom-during-slavery/.
This source taught me that Negro spirituals were often tools used by conductors of
the Underground Railroad to guide runaway slaves to freedom and help them avoid
being captured.
“Soul Music.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 May 2021,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_music.
Soul music was an exponentially popular genre of music in the 1960s. Some well known
Soul artists include Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin.
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken?: The Evolution of African American Music.” Will the Circle Be
Unbroken?: The Sacred Music of the African American Diaspora,
scalar.usc.edu/works/will-the-circle-be-unbroken/media/the-evolution-of-african-america
-music.
This image depicts a timeline of the different genres of music that stemmed from Negro
Spirituals, including the genres that birthed protest songs such as Blues, Gospel, Jazz, and
Soul. The influence of Negro Spirituals can also be seen in some elements of Hip Hop.
“Spirituals.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Mar. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituals.
This source taught me that spirituals still remain as an important part of African
American culture and are still popular in Black churches.
Writer, Gregory Lewis Staff. “SAY IT LOUD, I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD.” Sun, 14 Sept.
2018, www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2008-08-10-0808070321-story.html.
This source describes how soul songs like, “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)”
empowered the Black community and gave them a sense of racial pride and power. Xu, Jack. “African American Spirituals and the Slavery Connection: When the Song Is the
Message and More.” MCIS Language Solutions, 21 Mar. 2019,
www.mcislanguages.com/blog-post/african-american-spirituals-and-the-slavery-
connection-when-the-song-is-the-message-and-more/.
This source taught me that Negro spirituals originated in the United States as early as the
17th century. tttkk v
Historical Background Negro Spirituals: Short Term Effects Negro Spirituals- A genre of music created by The Pioneers of African enslaved African Americans that combined European hymns and African musical American Freedom Music elements. These songs were often used to help slaves communicate in secret and unite through music.
Map of the Underground Underground railroad conductor Railroad Routes “Harriet Tubman”
Negro Spirituals were used by conductors of the Underground Railroad to secretly communicate “Singing as a form of communication is deeply rooted in routes to free lands. Many slaves attained their freedom by following hidden messages of Negro the African American culture. It began with the African Spirituals. The songs also empowered slaves who were kidnapped and shipped across the African-Americans by giving them hope and Atlantic during the Middle Passage. Slaves from different helping them to unite through music. th countries, tribes and cultures used singing as a way to “...From the late 17 Century until 1865, the marked end of communicate during the voyage.” the Civil War, slaves had little option but to communicate with each other in covert ways. The singing of spirituals was -Kenyatta Barry ng as a one of the ways.”- Dr. David Ouzts
Long Term Effects Once slavery ended, Negro Spirituals inspired new forms of music created by African Americans to encourage, empower and unite them in their continued struggle for freedom and equal rights. https://screencast-o-matic.co https://screencast-o-matic TThesis Some examples of these new forms of music are m/watch/crhFbvVfCb2 .com/watch/crhFbhVfC6z In the antebellum period, Negro spirituals Gospel, Soul and Hip Hop. Harriet Tubman used the Follow the Drinking Soul Music song “Wade in the Water” Gourd entailed secret communicated coded messages of freedom for https://screencast-o-matic. - Created in the 1950s to tell slaves to get off the instructions for runaway com/watch/crhFbXVfCl2 slaves. The "drinking enslaved African-Americans; in the years after - Drew inspiration from Negro trail and get into the water Spirituals, Gospel, and Jazz “Say It Loud gourd" refers to the (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” to ensure the search dogs hollow gourd used by the war, those spirituals paved the way for - - Popular Soul artists couldn't sniff out their trail. slaves as a water dipper. included James Brown, This is a a code name for future musical forms that included messages of Sam Cooke and Nina Simone the celestial constellation, freedom, protest and empowerment. the Big Dipper. The song's directions guided fleeing slaves toward freedom in the north. This Soul song conveys themes of racial pride and empowerment with lyrics “Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitude.” such as: Frederick Douglas We’d rather die on our feet The impact of the Black Church is felt Than be livin on our knees Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 through music and chants derived “Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that from Gospel and Negro Spirituals used to unite people as they marched https://screencast-o-matic. belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.” for equal rights during the 1950/60’s com/watch/crfherVVWDu Civil Rights Movement. -Benjamin Franklin “Fight the Power” Pastor Carroll Gibbs Interview: h https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cr - Public Enemy hFb2VfC From the late 1980’s, the l8 ““Negro spirituals are a fundamental lyrics of this Hip Hop song became a rallying cry form of expression in the Black against racial Church and have been for at least injustice. Negro spirituals like Go Down, Moses and I Got the last 300 years…” My Ticket sent coded messages to slaves along --Pastor Gibbs Conclusion the Underground Railroad. The Fugitive Slave Act Negro spirituals were influential as the messages of 1850 was passed to discourage slaves from portrayed in these songs helped many African-Americans escape to freedom. They also inspired running away. The Act aided slave owners by new forms of music used to strengthen protesters during deterring slaves from running to freedom and the civil rights era and beyond to communicate messages of freedom and empowerment. mandating the return of escaped slaves.