Legacy of the African-American Spiritual

Before his death, performer, educator and humanitarian Joe Carter introduced the Spiritual to audiences from Novosibirsk to Nigeria. He had a singular understanding of the religious sensibility of this music and its hidden meanings.

Resources in this Collection

Legacy of the African-American Spiritual

SHOW: On Being | Length: 51:03 | Audio Format: MP3
Before his death, performer, educator and humanitarian Joe Carter introduced the Spiritual to audiences from Novosibirsk to Nigeria...
Lesson Plans Transcript

"Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"

SHOW: On Being | Length: 2:25 | Audio Format: MP3
The pain of slavery was just one example of the universal pain of people undergoing hardship or oppression.

"Wade in the Water"

SHOW: On Being | Length: 1:55 | Audio Format: MP3
The story of the Pool of Bethesda inspired many slaves. Beyond its baptismal aspects, this song served as a practical reminder...

"Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?"

SHOW: On Being | Length: 1:09 | Audio Format: MP3
According to Carter: The slaves "were in the lion's den, and that lion was roaring around them every day...

"Swing Low"

SHOW: On Being | Length: 2:26 | Audio Format: MP3
According to Carter, "The master loves our singing. But he doesn't listen to the words we say...

"Steal Away to Jesus"

SHOW: On Being | Length: 2:31 | Audio Format: MP3
This song is full of coded language. When someone says I ain't got long to stay here what the slaves were saying was...

"Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen"

SHOW: On Being | Length: 2:16 | Audio Format: MP3
One legend has it that upon emancipation, newly freed slaves were awaiting promised land grants from the government...