Sing A Song: Meaning Behind Negro Spirituals & The Origins of Gospel

Jump down turn around
Pick a bale of cotton
Jump down turn
 
Pick a bale of hey
Oh lordie pick a bale of cotton
Oh lordie pick a bale of hey


Lyrics that derive from an old southern field hand song these lyrics can be heard on the Ludacris song "The Potion"

Negro spirituals have been known and defined as traditional African American spirituals, prior to 1865 the beats of Negro Spirituals as well as Gospel songs were influenced by the music of their actual and cultural environments respectively. The early Negro Spirituals were inspired by African music even if the tunes were not far those hymns. This is where term "shouts" were accompanied with typical dancing including hand clapping and foot tapping that you may see in a Black church on a Sunday. At this time the religious singing style of African Americans was very distinct and the sounds resembled a "moan" and or "groan." Although these sounds did  not always indicate that they suffering from pain these sounds were actually intended to be blissful and often a rendition of a song would be mixed with humming and spontaneous melodic variation.

Later by the 19th century African Americans became more involved in the "Second Awakening." They met in camp meetings and sang without hymn books. Spontaneous songs would be composed this way, eventually these songs would become called "spiritual songs." The spirituals appeared for the first time in the book "slave songs of the United States" ( Allen, Ware, Garrison, 1867). Another little known fact was that African Americans used to sing outside of churches.



During slavery and after slavery ended, slaves/ workers that worked outdoors in the fields were allowed to sing what was called " work songs." Even the Black prisoners used to sing the famous "chain gang" songs when they worked on the road and construction projects. Slaves/ workers were used by the drivers to entertain them with quiet songs that did present lyrics of rebellion. These songs were used for self expression and used for cheering one another up.

All About That Code Switching.... Slaves would sing songs that had "secret messages" these songs were used as various forms of communication in church services, meetings, work, and home. Most of the meanings behind the songs were intended to be covert; therefore only Christian slaves understood the message that the lyrics conveyed and ordinary words were used to reflect the personal relationship between the slaves and God. The main gist of these codes in the negro spirituals often discussed freedom in another country. Two words that were often used in the songs were "chariot" and "train."


The Negro Spirituals "The Gospel Train" and "Swing Low," "Sweet Chariot" this refers to the Underground Railroad which was an informal organization who helped many slaves escape to freedom. Spirituals were sung at churches with an active participation of the congregation. These were often embellished  and the were also called either "church songs" or "julibees" or "holy roller sings."


Toni's Thoughts: These genres of music are very important to the African American community because they have helped us communicate, bond, and escape the physical aspect of bondage. A couple of years back I told my friend that it was inappropriate for the BET Awards to allow Gospel performances on the annual summer award show and then I realized what I said was foolish. Gospel music is very important to the African American community our best singers learn their skills in the church especially if you are from the South.
 Therefore it is very necessary for this genre to be recognized and celebrated on the annual BET Awards. Although I will not say I do not like this form of Gospel out right now that is trying to compete with other mainstream music. I may not go to church but I prefer to here old school Gospel. Have you ever noticed that Mary Mary song "The God in Me" sounds like Jamie Foxx's "Blame it on the Alcohol?"