Challenging Racism: Difference between revisions
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[[Music | Back to Protest Music]] | [[Music | Back to Protest Music]] | ||
=“Slave Spirituals”= | |||
After being removed from their country by white Europeans and shipped to America, individuals from Africa were forced to live a life of slavery until 1865, when this practice was outlawed. Though the enslaved men and women were restricted in their daily activities, they were allowed to gather for Christian church services. Here they learned hymns that they later transformed into songs of protest. These songs illustrated the arduous life of working in plantations, avowed faith in the future, and made fun of the slaves’ owners through coded lyrics. Slaves would sing these songs while working in the fields, allowing them to support one another. These songs also aided in the escape of many slaves and were used frequently to refer to the Under Ground Rail Road. | |||
[http://www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/index.htm Click here for songs and their lyrics] | |||
Revision as of 22:08, 3 May 2006
“Slave Spirituals”
After being removed from their country by white Europeans and shipped to America, individuals from Africa were forced to live a life of slavery until 1865, when this practice was outlawed. Though the enslaved men and women were restricted in their daily activities, they were allowed to gather for Christian church services. Here they learned hymns that they later transformed into songs of protest. These songs illustrated the arduous life of working in plantations, avowed faith in the future, and made fun of the slaves’ owners through coded lyrics. Slaves would sing these songs while working in the fields, allowing them to support one another. These songs also aided in the escape of many slaves and were used frequently to refer to the Under Ground Rail Road.
