Negro Spirituals
Combining the heritage of African culture and the experiences encountered while in bondage, early African American music would become a unifying and driving force among America's slaves. Spirituals, as many of these songs came to be called, expressed faith in God, helped make work more bearable, and also revealed plans to revolt. The songs' lyrics offer a glimpse of the true horror slaves endured as well as a hope and faith that one day they would be free. The voice for generations of African Americans, these songs laid the groundwork for the development of other forms of music in America.
The Fisk University Jubilee Singers was the first group to publicly perform the songs of slaves and they shared them with the world. When the Fisk Jubilee Singers first performed in the late 1800s, they sang ballads and patriotic anthems; it was their director, George White, who suggested that they sing the songs of their ancestors. The group was hesitant at first to expose this sacred music but agreed to add a few spirituals to their program. The music was well-received, often moving audiences to tears. With their performances, the Jubilee Singers were able to keep alive these songs of the past and reveal the emotions and strong faith of the African American slave. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/singers/)
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home, (All)
Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home. (All)
I looked over Jordan and what did I see, (Women)
Coming for to carry me home? (Men)
A band of angels coming after me, (Women)
Coming for to carry me home. (Men)
Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home, (All)
Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home. (All)
If you get there before I do, (Women)
Coming for to carry me home, (Men)
Tell all my friends I'm coming too, (Women)
Coming for to carry me home. (Men)
Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home, (All)
Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home. (All)
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"It is well with my soul"
Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888), a long-time Christian, had been a wealthy businessman, but lost his entire fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Shortly after, Spafford's wife, Anna, survived a shipwreck while crossing the ocean, then sent him the telegram, "Saved alone." Spafford's only four daughters had been killed in a ship accident. While crossing the Atlantic in 1873, Spafford's own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired these words. They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief befall them on earth.
Music: Philip P. Bliss, 1876 (The tune is named after the ship on which Spafford's children perished, the S.S. Ville de Havre. Ironically, Bliss himself died in a tragic train wreck shortly after writing this music.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
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The Golden Gate Quartet
sings
"The Gospel Train"
Several years ago, I bought a large selection of 78 RPM records. After listening to many of them, I was most impressed with a group called the Golden Gate Quartet. They were mostly a capella and mostly gospel. I liked their close harmonies and antique quality. As well as possessing several 78 RPM records, I also have recently purchased a few Golden Gate Quartet CDs. This is what a gospel web site says about them:
Pioneer Virginia gospel/pop quartet of the '30s and '40s. Calling their innovative approach to sacred hymns "jubilee" singing, The Golden Gate Quartet, propelled by Willie Johnson and William Langford, enjoyed massive acceptance far outside the church. Their smooth Mills Brothers-influenced harmonies made The Gates naturals for pop crossover success, and they began recording for Victor in 1937. National radio broadcasts and an appearance on John Hammond's 1938 "Spirituals to Swing" concert at Carnegie Hall made them coast-to-coast favorites. By 1941 The Gates were recording for Columbia minus Langford, and movie appearances were frequent: Star Spangled Rhythm, Hollywood Canteen, and Hit Parade of 1943, to name a few. Some experiments with R&B material didn't pan out during the late '40s, and Johnson defected to The Jubilaires in 1948. The group emigrated to France in 1959; led by veteran bass singer Orlando Wilson. http://www.singers.com/gospel/goldengatequartet.html]
Their most popular recording was their debut 78. This signature song is entitled, "Gospel Train." It brought them immediate recognition, and the quartet's highly successful recording career was on its way.
Click on Album to go to my page about the Golden Gate Quartet
All aboard,. The gospel train is coming. You better get your business right. You better set your house in order, friend. You know the train's gonna be here tonight. Don't you hear the whistle blowing? hear the bells a-talking… hear the engine exhausting, friend? You know the train's gonna be here tonight.
P.S. Brian, Keep the CD for a class well taught.
Blessings, Chris
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