1. African American Spirituals
3rd Quarter

2. Topic/Objective:
African American Spirituals
Name:
Class:
Date:
Essential Question: How have the roles of African American Spirituals evolved through history?

3. Each song has an identifiable composer
Questions
Spirituals: religious folk songs created and first sung by African Americans in slavery
composers unknown
Black gospel music originated in the churches of the urban North in the 1920's
Each song has an identifiable composer
Examples of Spirituals
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot“
"Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho"
"Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"
"Wade in the Water“
“Deep River

4. celebrate virtually every event in tribal life
Questions
African Foundations
African communities placed functional music at the center of their daily lives
celebrate virtually every event in tribal life
routine work, commerce or social discourse
major life events, such as birth, marriage or participation in war
singing, dancing, drumming

5. The Transition to North America
Questions
The Transition to North America
slaves were fascinated with Biblical stories, which paralleled many of their own experiences
late 1700's, this fascination was reflected in the spiritual songs
spirituals also evolved to express and consolidate their new religious faith
worship often took place in secret meetings at night
Sometimes signaled by the singing of spirituals

6. Music Serving Many Functions
Questions
Music Serving Many Functions
primarily expressed deeply held religious convictions
reflected deep longings for freedom
secret codes or messages imbedded in the lyrics
songs underscored the idea that one must never be "free" to mistreat others
beginning to experience their right to be included in the definition of "American"

7. The Spirituals After Slavery continued as part of worship
Questions
The Spirituals After Slavery
continued as part of worship
Many African Americans who wanted to leave spirituals behind, reminded them of slavery
Fisk (University) Jubilee Singers: 1870's
started a new interest in concert spirituals
peaked during the Harlem Renaissance:
1920s- gospel started to replace spirituals in Black churches
spirituals continued to be performed in secular concert settings
influenced other areas of the performing arts: dance, jazz, and the blues

8. The Freedom Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
Questions
The Freedom Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
revival of the spirituals came during the Black-led U.S. freedom movement of the 1950's and 60's
Many of the new freedom songs, were old spirituals with new lyrics
"We Shall Overcome“
freedom songs based on spirituals also made their way into struggles for democracy in Russia, Eastern Europe, China and South Africa

9. Summary: