Lyrics, Slave Songs of the United States

Author

William Francis Allen
Lucy McKim Garrison
Charles Pickard Ware
Mahisa Henry

Files

Publication Date

1-1-1867

Abstract

"Slave Songs of the United States (1867) is widely considered the first published anthology of Negro (African American) Spirituals recorded. These songs document, mourn and celebrate the language, pain, hope and resilience of a people who were brought here forcefully, treated inhumanely, converted to a foreign religion, fought for freedom, and who eventually were released from physical bondage with the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Singing was a way of daily life for Africans — permeating daily activities, tied to ritual and traditional religion."

Keywords

Spirituals (Songs), Music, Religion, African Americans, Slavery

Extent

7 pages

Original Language

English

Language

English

Media Type

Lyrics

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

EVF_0043

Type

Article

Creative Commons

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Allen, William Francis; Garrison, Lucy McKim; Ware, Charles Pickard; and Henry, Mahisa, "Lyrics, Slave Songs of the United States" (1867). Early Visions Bucket. 43.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/early_visions_bucket/43