A Tradition of Spirituals

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A Tradition of Spirituals

Origin of Spirituals

A Look at Prominent Composers and Performers

Including Literary Analysis of Spirituals:

Wade In the Water

Summertime

Nobody Knows De Trouble I've Seen

Deep River

Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child

I Want Jesus To Walk With Me

Spirituals: Age to Age

Origin of Spirituals

African American spirituals are one mode through which the melodies and rhythms of Africa found their way to America. Spirituals arose out of the songs the slaves would sing working in the fields on the plantations. In the fields the slaves developed a musical combination of "call and response" which becomes characteristic of gospel singing. Early spirituals acted for a number of practical functions for the slaves. Some were a mode of communication or a map to the North. Aside from these reasons, their song was a cry for freedom and salvation.

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A Look at Prominent Composers and Performers

Henry Thacker Burleigh (1866-1949)

Henry Thacker Burleigh. was born on December 2, 1866,in Erie, Pennsylvania. His mother was a domestic worker, and it was advantageous to young Henry that his mother was so employed. His mother's employer, Mrs. Elizabeth Russell, would hold concerts by well-known performers in her home and Burleigh was permitted to attend. His interest in music was accute even at this young age and it would continue throughout his life and illustrious career.

Burleigh sang in the choirs at St. Paul's and the Park Presbyterian Church as well as at the Reform Jewish Temple. It seemed that he was always singing. He sang while he worked at jobs such as stenographer (which he took on to s...

... middle of paper ...

...adition, in varying forms, today.

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Bibliography

Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Music. Seventh Edition

Boatner, Edward. I Want Jesus To Walk With Me,

Galaxy Music Corp.,1939. New York

Burleigh, H.T. Album of Negro Spirituals, Belwin, Inc.,

Florida. 1969

Knowledge Adventure. Inc. (1998) Gospel Music: Where Blues and Spirituals Meet

n.pag. Online. Internet. 18 Nov. 1998. Available:http://www.orat.ilst.edu/students/kgtarra

Sionimsky, Nicholas, Schiemer Books. Advisor of Macmillan, Inc. New York. 1900.

Terrance, Kelvin. "African American Music: The Spiritual.(1996):

n.pag. Online.Internet. 18 Nov. 1998. Available: htttp://www.orat.ilst.edu/students/kgtarra.

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