Recreational Songs
Fig.5. Afro-Americans
interacting, playing the banjo,
and resting
(The Sababth Among Slaves)
interacting, playing the banjo,
and resting
(The Sababth Among Slaves)
Recreational songs not only raised the livelihood and morale of the slaves, but were also used to divert and distract attention away from the misery, distress and fatigue that slaves felt on a daily basis. Fun was not an option for the slaves, yet recreational songs may have been the closest to any feelings of joy.
“In their free time, slaves listened and danced to music performed on string instruments”(“Music in Slave Life”).
These types of songs allowed slaves to channel even the slightest amount of amusement and aided in entertaining one another.
“Those who make no profession of religion, resort to the woods in large numbers on that day to gamble, fight, get drunk, and break the Sabbath. This is often encouraged by slaveholders. When they wish to have a little sport of that kind, they go among the slaves and give them whiskey, to see them dance, "pat juber," sing and play on the banjo” (Henry Bibb 22-3).
Recreational songs were a form of stimulation, recreation, and entertainment amongst slaves. Even after former slaves were liberated by the Emancipation Proclamation, and joined the army, they still stayed close to their music; as they did on the field. A great example of this is from the 54th Massachusetts regiment, which was depicted in the movie "Glory," they are singing and keeping their spirits high before their big battle.
“In their free time, slaves listened and danced to music performed on string instruments”(“Music in Slave Life”).
These types of songs allowed slaves to channel even the slightest amount of amusement and aided in entertaining one another.
“Those who make no profession of religion, resort to the woods in large numbers on that day to gamble, fight, get drunk, and break the Sabbath. This is often encouraged by slaveholders. When they wish to have a little sport of that kind, they go among the slaves and give them whiskey, to see them dance, "pat juber," sing and play on the banjo” (Henry Bibb 22-3).
Recreational songs were a form of stimulation, recreation, and entertainment amongst slaves. Even after former slaves were liberated by the Emancipation Proclamation, and joined the army, they still stayed close to their music; as they did on the field. A great example of this is from the 54th Massachusetts regiment, which was depicted in the movie "Glory," they are singing and keeping their spirits high before their big battle.
Denzel Washington in the movie Glory (Glory).