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Slave Spirituals Source Sweet Chariot: the story of the spirituals. (n.d.). Office of Teaching & Learning - University of Denver. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from http://ctl.du.edu/spirituals/freedom/slavery.cfm Spirituals During Slavery • In the period of captivity that began with the arrival of the first cargo of Africans in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619 and continued until 1865 (when legalized slavery ended with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation), spirituals gradually evolved to serve a variety of purposes in the fight for freedom. Purpose of Spirituals 1) Singing as an expression of democratic values and community solidarity 2) Singing as a source of inspiration and motivation 3) Singing as an expression of protest 4) Singing as coded communication. Of course, many songs served multiple functions in different times and places. However, it is instructive to examine a few examples of songs that can be understood – at least at one level – as illustrative of each of the four categories. Singing as an expression of democratic values and community solidarity For example – the “ring shout” (call and response) • “How Do You Do Ev’ry Body” • What is the emotion? What do you feel? Singing as a source of inspiration and motivation For example, some songs borrowed from the bible to tell stories of freedom fighters. • “Moses” • Who is Moses in this song? Who is King Pharaoh? Singing as an expression of protest • “Heav’n, Heav’n” • Take a look at the lyrics. How do you interpret them? • Take a brief look at the interpretation above. Singing as coded communication “It is very likely that both signal songs and map songs were utilized in combination with any number of other clandestine communication tools, including the extensive use of symbols sewn onto quilts that assisted prospective “passengers” on the Underground Railroad in rehearsing the specific places that would need to be reached for a successful trip to safety in the North or Canada.” • “Follow the Drinking Gourd” History Detectives: Slave Songbook (PBS) Please answer the questions as you watch. We will stop as needed.