MUH 214 1st Edition Lecture 9Spirituals; The Black Experience in 19th Century America; Servitude, Resistance, SurvivalCharacteristics-Reflect transformation from African to African American genre-AKA Slave songs-Most widespread AAM genre pre 20th c.-Expressed current struggle of slave life while maintaining traditions of past-Used to affirm Blacks humanity in inhumane situation-Description and criticism of current environment-Contained African characteristics of- Call and response- Text improvisation- Storytelling-Used language techniques of- Figures of speech- Simile- Metaphor- Coded language-Focused on slavery experience and possibility of freedom-Retell stories of bible in everyday language-Black dialect- Elision – the omission of a sound or syllable when speaking or singing- Ending consonant sounds dropped (e.g. goin’ , doin’)- “The” replaced by “de” or “da”, “this” by “dis”, “that” by “dat”Themes-Desire for freedom -Desire for justice upon oppressors-Heaven, Hell, Judgment-“Wandering” phrases referring to- Wilderness- Jericho- Promised Land- Jerusalem-Travel on rocky, stormy, rough road-Allusions to water- Jordan River- Banks of the river- Ship of Zion-Affirmation of life despite conditions-Identified with Biblical figures who overcame adversity- Moses - David- Joshua- Daniel-Goal to overcome current situation, but not necessarily in this life- Faith- Optimism- Patience- Weariness- The fight-Symbolic phrases that reflect desire for freedom- “Goin’ to Heaven”- “Comin’ for to carry me home”- “I’m on my way to Canaan’s Land”Lyric Content-Sorrow, Alienation, Desolation-Consolation, Faith-Resistance, Defiance-Deliverance-Jubilation, Triumph-Judgment, Reckoning-Regeneration-Spiritual Progress-TranscendenceMusical Characteristics-Typically 4 line stanza alternating with 4 line chorus (refrain)-Duple Meter-Melodies freely sung against pulse-Texture often heterophonic-Overlapping call and response – leader begins next verse before end of refrain-Syncopation-Pentatonic Scale-Performed a cappella-Rhyme scheme not essentialCompositional Techniques-Improvisation on existing songs-Combination of material from several old songs-New song with new materialSpiritual Types-Sorrow Song- Slow Tempo- Mournful Mood- Emphasized burdens, troubles, deprivations of slaveryExamples:- Nobody Knows de Trouble I Seen- Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child- Many Thousan’ Gone-Jubilee - Songs of Jubilation- Celebration heroic bible figures- Reject Satan- Celebrates wonderfulness of Jesus/God- Fast temposExamples:- Go Tell It on the Mountain- Li’ I David Play on Your Harp- In That Great Getting’ Up Mornin’- Wonderful Councilor- All ‘Roun’ de Glory Manger-Cult Song- Message songs*Signal Songs*Map Songs- Meeting songs- Coded Language used extensively- Moderate tempoExamples:- Steal Away to Jesus- Follow the Drinking Gourd- There’s A Meetin’ Here TonightCoded Language-Use of words, phrases in a coded manner to aid escaping slaves-Examples:- “Agent” – coordinator, one who plotted the course of escape and made contacts- “Drinking Gourd” – Big Dipper and the North Star- “Freedom Train or Gospel Train” – code name for the Underground Railroad- “Heaven or Promised Land” – Canada- “Shepherd’s” – people who escorted the slaves- “Station” – place of safety and temporary refuge, a safe house- “Station Master” – the keeper of a safe house- “Stockholder” – donor of money, clothing, or foodCoded Language Phrases-“The wind blows from the south today” – the warning of slave bounty hunters nearby-“A friend with friends” – A password used to signal the arrival of fugitives with an Underground Railroad conductor-“The friend of a friend sent me” – A password used by fugitives traveling alone to indicate they were sent by the Underground Railroad network-“Load of potatoes, parcel, or bundles of wood” – fugitives to be expectedUnderground Railroad-Secret network of houses, churches, barns, and other buildings used as safe houses and hiding places along a loosely defined secret route from south to north that allowed slaves to escape slavery.-Ultimate destination was Canada, but chances of escaping increased after crossing Ohio River or Mason Dixon Line into free states.-Reached peak success between 1850-1860. Estimated number of successful escapes ranges from 30,000-100,000.-Involved groups dedicated to elimination of slavery such as Quakers, abolitionists.-Travel was usually at night via riverbanks to avoid detection and confuse dogs used to track escapees.-Fugitive Slave Act- Legalized and required the return of runaway slaves captured anywhere in the U.S. to their