Carry On, Carry On: African American Slave Songs By Elizabeth Harris

Rhythms Africans added accompaniments such as finger snapping, clapping and foot stamping. Africans added accompaniments such as finger snapping, clapping and foot stamping. Some jazz artists followed suit like: Some jazz artists followed suit like: Frank Sinatra

Moans and Shouts Moan- implies happiness and bliss during the musical interlude of a song. Moan- implies happiness and bliss during the musical interlude of a song. Other vocal techniques followed such as “ehs”, “uhs” and “yeahs”… etc. Other vocal techniques followed such as “ehs”, “uhs” and “yeahs”… etc. Shout- a cry out during a song Shout- a cry out during a song Gospel singers shouted out references to Jesus Christ during the song. Gospel singers shouted out references to Jesus Christ during the song.

Melodies The melodies were said to have been those of church hymns, just placed to a slave’s personal words. The melodies were said to have been those of church hymns, just placed to a slave’s personal words. Tone quality was important in melodies. Tone quality was important in melodies. People with rich tone qualities were/are: People with rich tone qualities were/are: Duke EllingtonElla Fitzgerald And more recently... Jennifer Hudson

Words The lyrics were taken mainly from the Bible. The lyrics were taken mainly from the Bible. The most popular slave spiritual was The most popular slave spiritual was “There Is a Balm In Gilead” which was derived from Jeremiah 8:22. Most though, came from the book of Psalms. Most though, came from the book of Psalms.

“There is a Balm in Gilead” Lyrics: There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. Bible verse : Bible verse : Is there no balm in Gilead, no physician there? Why grows not new flesh over the wound of the daughter of my people? Jeremiah 8:22 MAIN IDEA- SPIRITUAL HEALING (BALM)

U2- White As Snow Bible verse: Come now let us set things right says the Lord: though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow. Isaiah 1:18 U2 Lyrics: Who can forgive forgiveness where forgiveness is not. Only the lamb as white as snow. MAIN IDEA- FORGIVEN SINS

Comparing the Two Slave Era Today Shouts Screams Rap Moans Rich tone qualities Similar rhythms and beats Some Biblical references

Expansion Slave songs and spirituals relate to the theme of expansion because: as the slaves moved west ward so did their music. as the slaves moved west ward so did their music. when they expanded their music also expanded into jazz and ragtime. when they expanded their music also expanded into jazz and ragtime.

Your Turn! Directions: With the sheet that I have provided, write a simple and modern two line slave song derived from a Bible verse. It does not have to be perfect just include the main idea of the verse in lyrics, because it is another whole project completely to teach you to read music notes. Directions: With the sheet that I have provided, write a simple and modern two line slave song derived from a Bible verse. It does not have to be perfect just include the main idea of the verse in lyrics, because it is another whole project completely to teach you to read music notes.