Lacretia Thompson - African American Literature Timeline 1700-1900 lyrics

The importance of songs in the slave community was for so long overlooked. What was usually started at first as a way to strengthen souls by providing hope and influence turned into a complex an innovative way to communicate secretly. Slaves used songs to transmit hidden codes, and to help boost morale of their fellow peers. Songs also became an elaborate and descriptive way to exactly provide directions on how to escape to freedom. For instance, In “Walk with Me Lord” Negro Spiritual Song (1856) most slaves were devout Christians not only to give them hope and faith, but to also please the white men into possibly shortening their time as a slave. Slaves actually put codes into songs to relay secret messages among their slave community. 1845- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas as American Slave Frederick Douglas “Run to Jesus” I thought I heard them say, There were lions on the way. I don't expect to stay Much longer here. Run to Jesus — face the danger— I don't expect to stay Much longer here. 1849-“Underground Railroad ” “Follow the Drinkin' Gourd” Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd For the old man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom Follow the drinking gourd 1849: U.S first Integration suit Harriet Tubman “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” Swing low, sweet chariot, Comin' for to carry me home! I looked over Jordan and what did I see, Comin' for to carry me home! A band of angels comin' after me, Comin' for to carry me home! 1850's- “Third Great Awakening ” Fisk Jubilee Singers “Wade in the Water” 1901 Wade in the water, children. Wade in the water. God's gonna trouble the water. 1850 -Narrative of Sojourner Truth, Northern Slave Sojourner Truth “Equal Rights Convention” There is a great stir about colored men getting their rights, but not a word about the colored women; and if colored men get their rights, and not colored women theirs, you see the colored men will be masters over the women, and it will be just as bad as it was before. So I am for keeping the thing going while things are stirring; because if we wait till it is still, it will take a great while to get it going again. 1861-1865 American Civil War Era Sung by Odetta “Oh, Freedom” “Oh Freedom” Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free 1863-Emancipation Proclamation Abraham Lincoln And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free. 1903-The Souls of Black Folk W.E.B Dubois “Sorrow Songs” I walk through the churchyard To lay this body down; I know moon-rise, I know star-rise; I walk in the moonlight, I walk in the starlight; I 'll lie in the grave and stretch out my arms, I 'll go to judgment in the evening of the day, And my soul and thy soul shall meet that day, When I lay this body down.