Do some research: look up the following. Be sure to explain what each is and what purpose it served in the 19 th century. Slave songs (AKA spirituals) Minstrel songs Abolition songs

Creating Context Through Music Some of the slave songs have dual interpretations, with purposefully subversive elements in them that suggest ways of running away successfully, as well as being spiritually aware. Note that more than a few use water images and crossing of rivers to promised lands here either heaven or Free states. Minstrelsy, racist though it may be to us now, was among the first musical forms to humanize slaves. Abolition songs, often high-brow and quite involved poetically and musically, seek to inspire Abolitionist zeal and pity for those in slavery and will remind students of the laws governing both slaves and those who helped to free them.

The following slide contains a list of slave songs, abolition songs and minstrel songs. Choose one from each category, look up its lyrics and answer the following questions: Who composed the song? What was the songs purpose and use? What is the literal meaning of the song? What is the figurative meaning? Choose three examples of figurative language for each song and show how they help identify the songs purpose. You will be presenting your findings to the class. Be prepared to answer questions!

Slave (spiritual) Songs Minstrel SongsAbolition Songs Follow the Drinking Gourd Deep River Michael Row the Boat Ashore Wade in the Water (contains river imagery) Many Thousand Gone (or No More Auction Block for Me) Run Mourner Run Nobody Knows the Trouble Ive Seen Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child Massas In De Cold Ground, Old Folks at Home, Old Kentucky Home Dan Emmets Dixieland The Grave of the Slave The Fugitives Song Get Off the Track! Lincoln & Liberty John Browns Body/ Battle Hymn of the Republic