Negro spirituals
Background Information
Negro spirituals, which are also known as negro slave songs, originiated as a form of resistance that combined culture and spiritualty amongst African Americans specificially in the South. These songs date back to slavery, as these spirituals created and established community amongst those who were prohibited from the white church due to laws put in place to exclude African Americans. This pratice of assembly has been known as the Invisible church, with the name deriving from the fact that the slaves were forced to worship in secret.
Negro spirituals have origina that date back to the Great Awakening, which was known as a period of religious revival. Spirituals were unique, as they followed different forms than hymns which were also known at that time. Spirituals consisted of things such as double entrendres and focused on more freeform types of sound. The double entrendre holds importance as these lyrics contained meaning that was hidden, and these hidden meanings most times highlighted things such as hope which many expressed through the use of music. So while traditional hymns were alson sung around this period of time, the strutural differences and meanings heavily differentiate the two.
Popular Negro spirituals
Order of songs:
1. Swing low, sweet chariot
2. Wade in the water
3. Go down moses
4. This little light of mine
5. Follow the drinking gourd
Folk spirituals
Folk spirituals are the oldest form of negro spirituals, as they consist of many different characteristics that have helped to shape the forms of music. Some of these include call and response and rhythmic music as a way of expressing feeling through the music. Folk spirituals take on a form of acapella singing which allows the voices of those singing to be heard clear and loud without the backing of instruments. A popular variation of singing within this genre is the Ring shout, where those participating sing and dance in a counterclocwise circle, often incoporating percussion.
Arranged concert spirituals
Arranged concert spirituals refer to the performances that have been picked up as time has gone on to display these spirituals to a larger crowd in a more modern era. These spirtuals have been specficially performed and popularized by Histprocally Black Colleges and Universities. Some people who have also worked with arranged concert spirituals consist of: John Work II, John Work III, William Dawson, R. Nathaniel Dett, Undine Smith Moore, Moses Hogan, and others.
2 Responses
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Cambel Cadien
I enjoyed the usage of media and videos that allowed me to truly examine the elements of Negro Spirituals. Additionally, I appreciate how you mention the evolution of this genre.