Biblical References In African American Religious Songs (Part I - Old Testament)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part series on Biblical References in African American religious songs. Part I focuses on Old Testament references.

Click to find Part II of this series http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/biblical-references-in-african-american_07.html "Biblical References In African American Religious Songs ( Part II - New Testament)"

The content of this post is presented for historical, religious, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to the unknown composers, the arrangers, vocalists, and musicians, and uploaders of these sound files and videos.

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PART I: FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: Adam in the Garden, a Slave Song



Published on May 22, 2012 by TTGBlimp

"Adam in the Garden, a slave song by The McIntosh Country Shouters; Performers of slave era 'shout' songs"
-snip-
I'm including the lyrics to "Adam In The Garden" in this post because that song is less familiar (to most Americans and probably also other persons) than the other featured spirituals:

ADAM IN THE GARDEN
[unknown composer]

Soloist: Oh-o Eve, where is Adam?
Soloist: Oh-o Eve
Soloist and Group: Adam in the garden pinnin up leaves.
Soloist: God called Adam
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Eve and Adam
Group: Pinning up leaves
Soloist: My God call him
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Adam won't answer
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Oh, Adam
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Oh, Adam
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Adam ashamed
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Adam won't answer
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Oh, Adam
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Oh, Adam
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Why don't you answer
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Who told you, Adam
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: that you was naked
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: My God call you
Group: Pinnin up leaves
Soloist: Why don't you answer
Group: Pinnin up leaves

[Transcription by Azizi Powell from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HALS2fQ86E0]

Notice that this video includes a demonstration of the "ring shout" spiritual dance.

Explanation of this song":
"Pinnin [pinning] up leaves" refers to Adam making garments of leaves for himself and Eve after they bit into an apple from the Garden of Eden's Tree of Life. Once they bit into the apple, Adam & Eve realized that they were naked. And because they disobeyed God, they were ashamed to answer when God called them.

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Video #2: JUBALAIRES GOSPEL - NOAH [1940s]



Uploaded by recquilt on May 10, 2007

"1940's Black Gospel & Pop Vocal Quartet"

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Video #3: Mahalia Jackson Elijah Rock [1961]



Uploaded by 1joker88 on Aug 6, 2009

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Video #4: Little David, Play on Yo' Harp - Fisk University Jubilee Quartet [1909]



Uploaded by geofbrit59 on Jan 24, 2010

"Flip-side to 'I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray". The Fisk Jubilee Singers traveled the world (and still do) and raised money to keep the the university going. The photo of the Fisk University is from the 1900 time period. This disc is from 1909."

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Video #5: The Charioteers - Ezekiel Saw The Wheel



Uploaded by KittyCatInAMicrowave on Jan 16, 2010

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Video #6: The Nathaniel Dett Chorale - The Battle of Jericho (intro by Moses Hogan)



Uploaded by RiddleFilms on Dec 19, 2007

-snip-
Editor's note: This spiritual is also known as "Joshua F'it The Battle of Jericho".

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Video #7: Let My People Go - Paul Robeson



Uploaded by JewishBretheren on Nov 19, 2008

-snip-
Editor's note: This spiritual is usually known as "Go Down Moses".

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RELATED LINKS
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/daniel-in-lions-den-song-sound-files.html "Daniel In The Lion's Den" Song (Sound Files & Lyrics)"

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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/07/good-lord-run-old-jeremiah-ring-shout.html to find a sound file & lyrics of the African American ring shout "Good Lord "Run Old Jeremiah").

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