Description
First published in 1867, this landmark book represented the first systematic effort to collect and preserve the songs sung by the plantation slaves of the Old South. To verify authenticity, the editors notated some of the melodies and words directly from the singers themselves. The result was once a rare musical treasury containing complete music and lyrics for over 130 songs, arranged by geographical region.
Among them are: Roll, Jordan, Roll; Jehovah, Hallelujah; I hear from Heaven to-day; Michael, row the boat ashore; Turn sinner, turn O; Nobody knows the trouble I’ve had; No Man can hinder me; Heave away; Charleston Gals; I’m gwine to Alabamy; I need to die like-a Lazarus die; Belle Layotte; On to Glory Jacob’s Ladder; My Father, how long?; Musieu Bainjo; Lean on the Lord’s side; God got plenty o’ room.
The book presents the melody lone and the entire known verses to every song. The editors also include directions for making a song, at the side of a observation on every song’s history, its imaginable variations, what some of its key references mean and other pertinent details. A new preface to the Dover edition by Harold Courlander appraises the book’s importance in American musical and cultural history.