SONGS OF SLAVES

When Africans first came to this country, they carried with them
a rich culture that included, among other things, a tradition of
singing. Songs could serve many purposes. They could provide
rhythm for repetitive chores, such as working in the fields. Songs
could also celebrate important events, helping people remember
their history if they did not have a written language. Songs could
also express emotions, in the same way that poetry and drama
do.

For Africans who wanted to escape slavery, songs had another

important purpose as well. They could be used to
communicate. Their songs, which are sometimes called
spirituals, were passed from one group to another and along
with the songs came the code.
Many of these slave songs talked about going home or
being bound for the land of Canaan. If you just heard the
song, you might think the people were singing about dying and
going to heaven. However, the people who sang were very
clever. They were actually singing about going north to
Canada and freedom.

In his writing, Frederick Douglass talks about this. He used this

song as an example:
Run to Jesus face the danger
I thought I heard them say,
There were lions on the way. I dont expect to stay
I don't expect to stay Much longer here.
Much longer here.
Douglass knew that people who heard that song might
think that the person who was singing it was thinking
about dying and going to a final reward. But, what they
were really singing about was escaping slavery
traveling a dangerous route. Douglass knew what other
slaves knew: the lions werent really lions, but dangers
on the road to freedom, and that the singer was
probably using the song to alert others that he or she
was planning to escape
 The life of a slave was a grim one during the 19th century. Most slaves belonged to large plantations that
required labor intensive work. Large groups of slaves would work on these plantations utilizing the resources
the Americas had to offer so that their plantation owners could remain profitable. Because of this permanent
life of servitude, many slaves tried to escape while dying in the process. The importance of song and music
was for so long overlooked by plantation owners. Slaves used songs to convey hidden codes, and to help boost
morale of their fellow workers.
Initially, slaves used song and music to boost the overall happiness of the people they worked with. During
times of difficult labor, slaves would break out in a song to pass the time, and lift their spirits. Slaves would
often sing songs that praised the lord, or asked the lord for help and guidance. My primary source is a common
slave song that was sung to aquire hope, and asks for assistance on their journey. Walk with me lord, walk
with me! All along this tejus journeys, I want Jesus to walk with me.[1] This song was usually sung during a
very stressful and strenuous situation. Most slaves were devout Christians not only to give them hope and
faith, but to also please the white men into possibly shortening their time as a slave. These songs were
constantly heard in groups and were crucial to getting through the day. Singing these songs helped pass the
time and lift the spirits of distraught workers.
Additionally, slaves actually put codes into songs to relay secret messages among their slave community.
Today, these songs are well known because of the amount of specific information coded within its lyrics. The
title of a very popular slave song, Wade in the water, specifically explains to runaways how to escape from
bloodhounds. Furthermore, the song contains a reference to Jordan and a promise land. This refers to Canada
which at this time was a non-slave state.
Moreover, Follow the drinking gourd is probably the most popular slave song ever created. It is popular
because of the wealth of information provided in its lyrics. What made it special was that it not only gave
hidden advice but also contained a complete coded map with full details of how to escape to Canada.[2] The
song has actually been completely decoded and translated, and tells the steps on how to escape to freedom:
When the sun comes up and the first quail calls, follow the drinking gourd.For the old man is a-waiting to carry
you to freedom, If you follow the drinking gourd.
FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD
Follow the Drinking Gourd - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw6N_eTZP2U
Today, slave music is usually grouped
in three major categories:
Religious, Work, and Recreational
Songs.
LONESOME ROAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4ecg
gLaj1Y

RUN OLD JERIMIAH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL0F
pB26VSg

DO, LORD, REMEMBER ME

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa7
wN6tRmSw

HOUSE DONE BUILT WITHOUT HAND

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWtx
P426kAw

MEET ME IN JERUSALEM
ARWHOOLIE (CORNFIELD HOLLER)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPrZ-YsD6sc

QUITTIN TIME

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xLpZ9BDoOo

MEALTIME CALL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ497m5Ro9M

HAMMER RING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCkQ0XaVSrM

IT MAKES A LONG TIME MAN FEEL BAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuHn7vF6nvA
SHORTNIN BREAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gru39_D
G0Cw

BILE THEM CABBAGE DOWN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZZr4Dnxj
ro

ROSIE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ch5IWTa
vUc

GO TO SLEEP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=GjB2pC4tNrM
 I researched this because there was so much African culture forcefully taken
from the slaves during slavery. From religion and language to mating rituals
and medicinal practices. But, there was one thing that could not be taken!
And that was the ability bond and find strength to endure thru the vehicle of
music. There was a song for everything. A song for waking up, going to the
field, working in the field, lunch time, leaving the field, and going to sleep.
They sung when mad, tired, sad, happy, and hurt. This is also important to
me as a musician because I believe music should not only reflect life but give
life. Theres nothing like being in a bad place and hearing the right song,
that'll inspire you to keep moving forward. Or, having something amazing
happen and a song that expresses that feeling of bliss comes on.
These songs and spirituals were birthed in a time of hardship, deprivation,
destitution, poverty, and the occasional feeling joy, but I believe thats why
they have managed to stand the test of time. The melodies, rhythms, and
over-all message of the songs still resonate and find a place of meaning in our
lives today. These songs are still being studied by historians and covered by
all kinds of musicians and artist crossing all genres and racial barriers. And
REFERENCE

http://pathways.thinkport.org/secrets/music1.cfm
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/education/f
eature.html
https://historyengine.richmond.edu/episodes/view/4844