 Spirituals are folk songs that originated among the enslaved and the oppressed African Americans. They are one of the earliest and one of most widely known forms of American folk songs to have survived the twenty-first century.  Spirituals took the forms of ballads, shouts and jubilees to reflect the different moods and circumstances prevalent in the lives of the slaves.

 Containing both social and religious content, spirituals helped to shape the conscious identity of an enslaved people.  They also helped slaves to persevere under the physical and psychological pressures of their daily lives.  The songs contained the singers’ pain, their yearning for freedom, and their rage against slavery.

 These singers and these songs brought to life the emotional impact of slavery.  Slavery divided our nation for decades and was instrumental in bringing about the Civil War.  Frederick Douglass, a slave who became one of the most important writers of his time, said of the spirituals:  “Every tone was a testimony against slavery and a testimony to God for deliverance from chains.”

 While playing an important role in bringing to light the evils of slavery, the spirituals also served the role of replacing lost African religious traditions.  This allowed the slaves to maintain a connection to their musical heritage.

 Eventually, spirituals become a tool to transmit secret messages to slaves in an effort escape.  Words such as “chariot” and “train” referred to a train of people who would hide slaves as they made their way to freedom.  The “river Jordan” often referred to the Ohio river.  “Canaan” meant Canada and “Follow the drinking gourd” meant follow the star formation that included the North star.

 Many spirituals had a double meaning. Most included references to people, places, or events in the Bible.  They frequently referred to Moses, who in the Old Testament led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. Slaves identified with the Israelites, who had once been the slaves of the Egyptians. Singing about the Israelites was a safe way to voice their own yearning for liberty.  Harriet Tubman’s code name was also Moses.

Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home, Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home. I looked over Jordan and 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’m coming too, Coming for to carry me home. Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home, Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home.

 To what extent is this spiritual song about escaping the physical pain of slavery?  To what extent is it an expression of religious hope and faith?  What role did sharing spirituals play for those living in slavery?

 A popular slave song that was usually sung during their times of rest and prayer.  It is also said to have been sung by abolitionists to signal escape or rebellion.  The lyrics use Biblical imagery expressing the desire for a release from bondage.  The opening lines tell Moses to go deep into Egypt, the land of the oppressors.  In the song, Egypt symbolizes the “Slave States”

 Harriet Tubman signifies Moses because she went down South 19 times and led more than 300 slaves to freedom.