Ji, Mary

8East, Humanities

April 1, 2003

Negro Spirituals

 

- What effect did the restrictions imposed by the plantation owners have on the slaves and their music? (1-2 paragraphs)

            The effects that the restrictions imposed by the plantation owners have on the slaves and their music were that it limited their rights. From what I have read, the blacks’ rights were increasing for the better, and the blacks were celebrated through the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which were incredibly surprising since the blacks’ were treated horribly.

            The types of restrictions that were imposed by the plantation owners have on the slaves and their music disrupted their self-conscious minds and made them become slaves to the white landlords. They weren’t allowed to sing and have any sort of entertainment which was harsh since the blacks during the 60’s loved to sing and dance in churches. They were even banned from doing that, what more can they do to them? Life for the blacks was rough because mostly the blacks were spiritual people and believed about Jesus and Christ. It wasn’t fair that the whites restricted the blacks from their worships and their beliefs.

 

- How did this music reflect the lives of the slaves at this time? (1 paragraph)

            This music reflects the lives of the slaves at this time by preventing them to continue their music and worshiping. This music reflected their race and spirit towards the African American culture. It was an evidence of a renewed race-spirit that consciously and proudly sets itself apart”, explained Alan Locke. The music/songs showed that they were more educated and smarter than what whites thought. This was the “negro spirit.” The songs blacks were singing became later known as gospel music named by Thomas A. Dorsey. The “negro spirituals” were basically traditional songs.

 

- From the list of Spirituals on this (or any other) web site, give three examples of lyrics and explain how they related to the slave experience. (1 paragraph each song)

 

Remember the day, I remember it well
My dungeon shook and my chain fell off
Jesus cleaned and made me white
Said go in peace and sin no more
Glory to God, let your faith be strong
Lord, it won’t be long before I’ll be gone

            This song I am free is related to the slave experience because it talks about how “my dungeon shook and my chain feel off.” It is describing to you how god made him free from slavery which is similar to slavery itself because it talks about sins and faith. Since the slave experience was terrible, this song is describing the aftermath of the slavery and how soon one day, god will come and set you free when your faith is strong so you will leave in peace and your sins will be gone.

 

Slavery chain done broke at last, broke
at last, broke at last,
Slavery chain done broke at last,
Going to praise God till I die

Way down in-a dat valley
Praying on my knees
Told God about my troubles,
And to help me ef-a He please

I did tell him how I suffer,
In de dungeon and de chain,
And de days were with head bowed down,

            This song Slavery Chain is basically related to the slave experience because it gives you a mind picture that the slaves were locked up and it tells how they pray on their knees and tell god about all their troubles. And if god really heard him, then he would help him. This song describes slavery life and how slaves were being treated, like himself, with chains and they had to kneel with their head bowed down suffering.

 

Mother, is master going to sell us tomorrow? / Yes, yes, yes! / O, watch and pray

Going to sell us in Georgia? / Yes, yes, yes! / O, watch and pray

Farewell; mother, I must lebe you / Yes, yes, yes! / O, watch and pray

Mother don't grieve after me / No, no, no! / O, watch and pray

Mother, I'll meet you in heaven / Yes, my child! / O, watch and pray

            This song Master Going to Sell Us Tomorrow is referring to the idea about how slaves were being bought and sold to white men. This song relates because it is related to how slaves were really being treated by the whites and how they were really dealing with the problem by watching and praying to god and hoping that he could hear them. This song relates to the slave experience because it’s talking about how slaves are dealing with the fact that they are going to get sold off leaving their families.