Work Songs
Fig.4. An African-American
woman hoeing cotton (Lange)
woman hoeing cotton (Lange)
“Work songs helped slaves synchronize group tasks and eased the burden of difficult labor” (“Music in Slave Life”).
Work songs also helped instruct others of the task and gave them a creative way to express their hardships. These types of songs proved to be an outlet for frustration, a mental and physical stimulator, and allowed them to voice their opposition, despite their limited freedom of speech(“Music in Slave Life”).
"Work songs, called "field hollers," involved a call and response between one or more people" (“Music in Slave Life”).
Work songs encouraged slaves to get through hard times, and let their feelings be heard. Singing these songs led to a sense of teamwork and camaraderie amongst the slaves. (“Music in Slave Life”).
Work songs also helped instruct others of the task and gave them a creative way to express their hardships. These types of songs proved to be an outlet for frustration, a mental and physical stimulator, and allowed them to voice their opposition, despite their limited freedom of speech(“Music in Slave Life”).
"Work songs, called "field hollers," involved a call and response between one or more people" (“Music in Slave Life”).
Work songs encouraged slaves to get through hard times, and let their feelings be heard. Singing these songs led to a sense of teamwork and camaraderie amongst the slaves. (“Music in Slave Life”).