 |
The Civil Rights Songs March to The Beat of Gospel Music
The "Civil Rights Songs" (gospel music) were sung at sit-ins, boycotts, peaceful protest marches, church meetings or en-route to one of the many "Jim Crow" Jails. This powerful music conveyed the urgency of the freedom struggle and the absolute need for change.
An important outlook of Civil Rights Songs and its penetrating force on the Civil Rights Movement is that it has shown so much adaptivity, creativity and mutuality of its roots, that this kind of music is easily integrated into the heredity of all our ethnic backgrounds. The story behind "We Shall Over Come Some Day" began from a nineteenth century hymn "I'll Over Come Someday".
Not to be confused, not only was black gospel music lyrics being sung by black folks, but it was being sung by white folk artists such as Peter Seeger, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Janis Ian and Phil Ochs. All of these artists sang about the indignation of segregation and racism.
Such songs as "Aint Going To let Nobody Turn Me Around" and "Respect" by Aretha Franklinhave not only given African American, as well as other races, the respect for black rights, achievements and aspirations but has encouraged the struggle for dignity to continue on. From the song listed above, you can listen to some other gospel snippets of Civil Rights Songs.
Slavery was abolished in the 1860's. "The Civil Rights Movement" also goes by many other names, some of which are "The Black Freedom Movement", "The Negro Revolution", The Civil Rights" and "The Second Reconstruction" (the later of Which ended in 1877).
To get a sense of some powerful words that were sung during Civil Rights Movement, here is a list of the great Civil Rights Songs of the times:
III.If You See Me From The Back of the Bus" IV.Lord Hold My Hand While I Run This Race" V.Get On Board Little Children" VI.Oh Freedom VII.Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" VIII.Kum Bah Ya" VIIII.Wade In The Water"
These are the lyrics to the incredible songs listed above but you can listen to snippets of them on this web site:
Currently, the effects of gospel music on today's society, particularly black gospel music, has gripped the country. It can be felt, heard and expressed in every city and small town in the south as well as in church programs, 
auditoriums and even in plays with widespread appeal to many groups. The inspirational performances of the gospel songs of today now have elaborate costumes, beautiful choir robes, and travel in comfort, contrary to the earlier years of gospel music.
Gospel Music has changed in so many ways but it's principle mission remains constant-to uplift the spirits of its participants and to help them express their religion through song.
Remember, no matter your interpretation or your expression of music through song, the point is and will always remain the same, keep spreading the word of the good news (Salvation) through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Don't forget, "you and I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us!" Return from Civil Rights Movement Music to Gospel Home Page
|
Later the Civil Rights Song were changed, to what we now know it to be, by Southern African American tobacco workers. They later performed it for Zilphia Horton of the "Highlander Folk School" of Monteagle, Tennessee. This school was a bi-racial training ground for activists and those who were interested in labor organizing, social reform and civil rights.
