African-American Songs

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses songs sung by African-Americans during the time of slavery. It interprets the meanings behind the songs "Follow the Drinking Gourd", "Wade in the Water"," Hoe Emma Hoe", "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Roll, Jordan, Roll". The paper concludes that some songs were used to communicate during the time of the underground railroad, while others were coded and allowed the slaves to talk to one another and voice their opinions about the way that they were being treated without being punished.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
"Follow the Drinking Gourd"
"Wade in the Water"
"Hoe Emma Hoe"
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
"Roll, Jordan, Roll"
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"According to Greenway this particular song is actually a map for the local branch of the Underground Railroad which led slaves from Alabama and Mississippi into freedom in the North. According to the official website for the history of the Underground Railroad, the first line of the song, "When the sun comes back and the first quail calls" refers to winter and the southern migration of quail. The article explains that because most of the slaves coming from the south had to cross the Ohio River which was difficult to do most of the year, the leaders of the Underground Railroad found that it was easier to cross in winter. The winter crossing was easier because the river was frozen and people could walk across as opposed to having to swim."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brown, Sterling A., Arthur P. Davis, and Ulysses Lee, eds. Negro Caravan. New York: Dryden Press, 1941.
• Defrantz, Thomas F. Dancing Revelations: Alvin Ailey's Embodiment of African American Culture. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
• Francis A. W., Ware C. P., and Garrison L. M. 2000. Slave Songs of the United States:
• Electronic Edition. http://docsouth.unc.edu/church/allen/allen.html
• Greenway, John. American Folksongs of Protest. New York: Octagon Books, 1970. >.

More papers on African-American Songs:

• Essay # 65615 : "African-American Folk Music"
• Term Paper # 113840 : "African-American Art"
• Essay # 33859 : "African-American Music"

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