Religious Songs
Fig. 3. A slave being held
up by a higher power
(Feelings)
up by a higher power
(Feelings)
Slaves would create songs based on their religious beliefs.
“Some African-American religious songs were inspired by Christianity, others by African traditions” ("Music in Slave Life").
They were unable to attend religious ceremonies.
“The Sabbath is not regarded by a large number of the slaves as a day of rest. They have no schools to go to; no moral nor religious instruction at all in many localities where there are hundreds of slaves. Hence they resort to some kind of amusement”(Henry Bibb 22-3).
As a result, these songs served as a substitute allowing slaves to practice their faith. This gave them a sense of spiritual connectivity to their higher power, which helped keep their spirits high.
"Religious songs were usually sung a cappella and accompanied by hand clapping and foot stamping" (“Music in Slave Life”)
This gave them a more positive morale throughout their hard working days.
“Some African-American religious songs were inspired by Christianity, others by African traditions” ("Music in Slave Life").
They were unable to attend religious ceremonies.
“The Sabbath is not regarded by a large number of the slaves as a day of rest. They have no schools to go to; no moral nor religious instruction at all in many localities where there are hundreds of slaves. Hence they resort to some kind of amusement”(Henry Bibb 22-3).
As a result, these songs served as a substitute allowing slaves to practice their faith. This gave them a sense of spiritual connectivity to their higher power, which helped keep their spirits high.
"Religious songs were usually sung a cappella and accompanied by hand clapping and foot stamping" (“Music in Slave Life”)
This gave them a more positive morale throughout their hard working days.