Negro Spirituals
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Suggested Sequencing
- Use this Primary Source with the Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, 1845 Primary Source to help students humanize the brutality of slavery.
Introduction
In his 1845 autobiography, Frederick Douglass wrote the following about the songs enslaved men and women sang:
I have sometimes thought that the mere hearing of those songs would do more to impress some minds with the horrible character of slavery, than the reading of whole volumes of philosophy on the subject could do… To those songs I trace my first glimmering conception of the dehumanizing character of slavery… Those songs still follow me, to deepen my hatred of slavery, and quicken my sympathies for my brethren in bonds…
The popularization of these songs—now known as Negro spirituals—began after the Civil War, thanks in large part to the touring of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Fisk University was established in 1866 in Nashville, Tennessee, to educate freed slaves. The Jubilee Singers were created by Fisk treasurer and music professor George White to earn money for the university. The group began touring in 1871, and their talent not only earned much needed funds for the university but also critical praise and international acclaim. The Fisk Jubilee Singers remain a prestigious a cappella group to this day and continue the tradition of singing Negro spirituals around the world.
Because these songs were sung and not initially written down, variations occur in the lyrics. Biblical imagery, particularly of the enslavement of the Hebrew people in Egypt and the role of Moses in freeing them, figure prominently. Modern artists continue to offer their own versions of these spirituals in the present day.
Sourcing Questions
- Where and why were these songs first performed?
- How were these songs introduced to a wider audience?
Source A: Wade in the Water
| Vocabulary | Text |
|---|---|
| God’s a-going to trouble the water: This line, repeated throughout the song, refers to the New Testament, John 5:4, “For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.” | Wade in the water Wade in the water, children, Wade in the water God’s a-going to trouble the water |
| Israelite(n): a member of the enslaved minority in Egypt; in this reference the Israelite is Moses | See that host all dressed in white God’s a-going to trouble the water The leader looks like the Israelite God’s a-going to trouble the water |
| Moses: a prophet in the Old Testament who led the Israelites to freedom out of Egypt | See that band all dressed in red God’s a-going to trouble the water Looks like the band that Mosesed God’s a-going to trouble the water |
| Look over yonder, what do you see? God’s a-going to trouble the water The Holy Ghost a-coming on me God’s a-going to trouble the water |
|
| Jordan: According to the Bible, the river which the Israelites crossed to enter the Promised Land | If you don’t believe I’ve been redeemed God’s a-going to trouble the water Just follow me down to the Jordan’s stream God’s a-going to trouble the water |
Source B: There Is a Balm in Gilead
| Vocabulary | Text |
|---|---|
| balm in Gilead: a medicine referenced in the Old Testament; used figuratively as a universal cure | There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul |
| Sometimes I feel discouraged And think my work’s in vain But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again |
|
| Don’t ever feel discouraged For Jesus is your friend And if you lack of knowledge He’ll ne’er refuse to lend |
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| Peter: the first leader of the early Christian Church; one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Paul: traveling teacher of the early Christian gospels throughout the Roman Empire c. 30–50 CE |
If you cannot preach like Peter If you cannot pray like Paul You can tell the love of Jesus And say, “He died for all”. |
Source C: Go Down Moses
| Vocabulary | Text |
|---|---|
| When Israel was in Egypt’s land Let my people go Oppressed so hard they could not stand Let my people go |
|
| Go down Moses, Way down in Egypt land; Tell ol’ Pharaoh, Let my people go |
|
| smite(v): to strike forcefully | Thus spoke the Lord, bold Moses said, Let my people go If not I’ll smite your first-born dead Let my people go |
| No more shall they in bondage toil, Let my people go Let them come out with Egypt’s spoil Let my people go |
Comprehension Questions
- What is the overt message of this song?
- What is the specific “balm of Gilead” that this song references?
- How did this song provide hope to those who sang it?
Historical Reasoning Questions
I have often been utterly astonished, since I came to the north, to find persons who could speak of the singing, among slaves, as evidence of their contentment and happiness. It is impossible to conceive of a greater mistake. Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears….
— Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, 1845
- What purpose did these songs serve for those who sang them? Give specific examples from the lyrics to support your answer.
- How were these songs misconstrued by some who heard them? Why might they have done this?
- These songs are rich in religious imagery. What conclusions can you draw from this?
- Listen to the recording of one or more of the songs featured in this exercise. Which is more affecting, the music or the lyrics?
Source A: “Wade in the Water”
- Lyrics: http://www.negrospirituals.com/songs/wade_in_the_water.htm
- Sweet Honey in the Rock recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRpzEnq14Hs
- Ella Jenkins (Smithsonian Folkways) recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg_8L96E3eU
Source B: “There Is a Balm in Gilead”
- Lyrics: http://www.negrospirituals.com/songs/there_is_a_blam_in_gilead.htm
- 1908 Fisk Jubilee Singers recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa8r2SM035w
Source C: “Go Down Moses”
- Lyrics: https://www.negrospirituals.com/songs/go_down_moses2.htm
- 1919 recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7kpcps7Jx0
- Louis Armstrong recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JNCS27rtQ8
