Work Songs
Slaves needed something to do in the fields. They were in the fields from sunrise to sunset. Most of time it was hot and they didn't have breaks. Since the slaves were often working separate from other people they would call to one another. They would try and keep each other alert. The slaves would often work together to carry heavy hauls, so they would need a way to communicate. They would sing what they call work songs to keep themselves alert and entertained, but also to call attention to one another. These songs tell stories of how the slaves feel at that moment. They also tell stories from back home. Since the songs just sung out in the fields they were never written down.
Source: Bessie Brown - Song from a Cotton Field. This is 1920 rendition of an old slave work song. Gives the idea of what they sang about and how they felt about being a slave.
Source: Ed Lewis singing and recorded by Alan Lomax in the 1930's. This is a rendition of a slave song that was also used in the prison chain gangs.
I Be So Glad... When The Sun Goes Down
I'll be so glad when the sun goes down (when the sun goes down)
I'll be so glad when the sun goes down (when the sun goes down)
There's a rainbow around my shoulder, ain't gonna rain on me (ain't gonna rain on me)
There's a rainbow around my shoulder, ain't gonna rain on me (ain't gonna rain on me)
And I'll be so glad when the sun goes down
[be so glad when the sun goes down, when the sun goes down]
I ain't all that sleepy but I wanna lie down (I wanna lie down)
I ain't all that sleepy but I wanna lie down (I wanna lie down)
I wanna lay down now baby, I wanna lie down (I wann lie down)
I ain't all that sleepy but I wanna lie down
Well I'll be so glad when the sun goes down
[be so glad when the sun goes down, when the sun goes down]
Oh when the moon begins to shine
Rain like silver, shine like gold
Rap: yeah right, but I'll try my best
[B-U-R-N-S-I-D-E wanna be
xxxxxxxxxx
help my bub, but don't you know why I wanna be so glad when the sun goes down
make a livin' when I was out
The North Mississippi Allstars would I really be claiming it in
Don't you know I'm really banging this thing in gated to win
Represent by David Malone up in the Parchman right now it really be his home
But now you know when we come back on the set
Don't you know we be banging I'll be so glad when the sun goes down
Cause my head be ringing, huh, It's kinda how when you are hit on the prison yard
Beating and making a living for these fucking guards]
Well I made you a livin' when I was free
I'm in a world of trouble you wanna write to me
Well I'll be so glad when the sun goes down
[be so glad when the sun goes down, when the sun goes down]
I'll be so glad when the sun goes down (when the sun goes down)
I'll be so glad when the sun goes down (when the sun goes down)
There's a rainbow around my shoulder, ain't gonna rain on me (ain't gonna rain on me)
There's a rainbow around my shoulder, ain't gonna rain on me (ain't gonna rain on me)
And I'll be so glad when the sun goes down
[be so glad when the sun goes down, when the sun goes down]
I ain't all that sleepy but I wanna lie down (I wanna lie down)
I ain't all that sleepy but I wanna lie down (I wanna lie down)
I wanna lay down now baby, I wanna lie down (I wann lie down)
I ain't all that sleepy but I wanna lie down
Well I'll be so glad when the sun goes down
[be so glad when the sun goes down, when the sun goes down]
Oh when the moon begins to shine
Rain like silver, shine like gold
Rap: yeah right, but I'll try my best
[B-U-R-N-S-I-D-E wanna be
xxxxxxxxxx
help my bub, but don't you know why I wanna be so glad when the sun goes down
make a livin' when I was out
The North Mississippi Allstars would I really be claiming it in
Don't you know I'm really banging this thing in gated to win
Represent by David Malone up in the Parchman right now it really be his home
But now you know when we come back on the set
Don't you know we be banging I'll be so glad when the sun goes down
Cause my head be ringing, huh, It's kinda how when you are hit on the prison yard
Beating and making a living for these fucking guards]
Well I made you a livin' when I was free
I'm in a world of trouble you wanna write to me
Well I'll be so glad when the sun goes down
[be so glad when the sun goes down, when the sun goes down]
No More, My Lord
Cho: No more, my Lord,
No more, my Lord, Lord,
I'll never turn back no more.
I found in Him a resting place,
And He have made me glad.
Jesus, the Man I am looking for,
Can you tell me where He's gone?
Go down, go down,
among flower yard,
And perhaps you may find Him there.
Cho: No more, my Lord,
No more, my Lord, Lord,
I'll never turn back no more.
I found in Him a resting place,
And He have made me glad.
Jesus, the Man I am looking for,
Can you tell me where He's gone?
Go down, go down,
among flower yard,
And perhaps you may find Him there.
Directions: Answer the following questions based on the documents above.
Explain the feeling that you get when you listen to these songs?
What kind of information about slavery did you learn from these songs?
What can you relate to in any of these songs?
What do you think the slaves are talking about in these songs?
What kind of information about slavery did you learn from these songs?
What can you relate to in any of these songs?
What do you think the slaves are talking about in these songs?