The Best Known Negro Spiritual Of Them All
It's one of those songs that everybody seems to know or can identify when they hear it. It is one of the great American songs and is the state gospel song of Oklahoma. In fact, 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' may just be the ultimate Negro spiritual.
The genre known as spirituals are synonymous with African American culture. The slaves who were brought to the United States from Africa invented this type of song. Usually the lyrics have a theme linked to religion, specifically Christianity. 'Amazing Grace' is another famous spiritual, as is 'Kum Ba Yah', which is a different pronunciation of 'Come By Here'.
During the days of slavery, the slave owners forbade their slaves to speak their languages and to express themselves culturally in the ways they had always known. The slaves then found a different outlet in the form of song. Their African roots came to the fore in elements like the call-and-response way of singing and in the way they would make up complicated harmonies. The chains of slavery weren't forgotten either. Many spirituals are about longing for a better place or going home, even if it is a heavenly home instead of an earthly one.
Uncle Wallace Willis was the man responsible for 'Swing Low'. He got his English name from his owner, Brett Willis, who was from a highly regarded Choctaw family. Uncle Wallace and Aunt Minerva, his wife, probably lived in Mississippi since this was Choctaw country. When they lived and died or when exactly Uncle Wallace composed his spirituals, including the most famous one, is a bit of a mystery, however.
The first known recording of the song was made in 1909 by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The lyrics and tune soon became popular all over. It is even believed that Dvorak got his inspiration for his 'New World Symphony' from this simple song about longing to be taken to heaven by angels.
Since that first recording by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, many musicians have recorded 'Swing Low'. These include jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, blues singers like BB King and country stars, including Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn and the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. There is an Elvis Presley version and a version by The Grateful Dead. Renowned opera singer Kathleen Battle has become famous for her version while the Diamanda Galas recording may be a little too alternative for some tastes. Joan Baez created one of the most haunting moments of the Woodstock festival when she performed the song in her soaring voice.
The haunting melody has featured in many movies, starting with the work of the Marx brothers. Several songwriters, including Neil Young, Roger Waters, Tori Amos and Emmylou Harris have used excerpts and variations of the lyrics in their own compositions. The English national rugby team can barely play a match without their supporters breaking into this song at some stage.
With its theme of going to a better place and helping others get there, 'Swing Low' was also adopted by the Civil Rights movement. It has taken on a life of its own, becoming much more than a simple Negro spiritual. In fact, it is now way up there along with other songs known the world over, like 'Happy Birthday'.
The genre known as spirituals are synonymous with African American culture. The slaves who were brought to the United States from Africa invented this type of song. Usually the lyrics have a theme linked to religion, specifically Christianity. 'Amazing Grace' is another famous spiritual, as is 'Kum Ba Yah', which is a different pronunciation of 'Come By Here'.
During the days of slavery, the slave owners forbade their slaves to speak their languages and to express themselves culturally in the ways they had always known. The slaves then found a different outlet in the form of song. Their African roots came to the fore in elements like the call-and-response way of singing and in the way they would make up complicated harmonies. The chains of slavery weren't forgotten either. Many spirituals are about longing for a better place or going home, even if it is a heavenly home instead of an earthly one.
Uncle Wallace Willis was the man responsible for 'Swing Low'. He got his English name from his owner, Brett Willis, who was from a highly regarded Choctaw family. Uncle Wallace and Aunt Minerva, his wife, probably lived in Mississippi since this was Choctaw country. When they lived and died or when exactly Uncle Wallace composed his spirituals, including the most famous one, is a bit of a mystery, however.
The first known recording of the song was made in 1909 by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The lyrics and tune soon became popular all over. It is even believed that Dvorak got his inspiration for his 'New World Symphony' from this simple song about longing to be taken to heaven by angels.
Since that first recording by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, many musicians have recorded 'Swing Low'. These include jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, blues singers like BB King and country stars, including Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn and the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. There is an Elvis Presley version and a version by The Grateful Dead. Renowned opera singer Kathleen Battle has become famous for her version while the Diamanda Galas recording may be a little too alternative for some tastes. Joan Baez created one of the most haunting moments of the Woodstock festival when she performed the song in her soaring voice.
The haunting melody has featured in many movies, starting with the work of the Marx brothers. Several songwriters, including Neil Young, Roger Waters, Tori Amos and Emmylou Harris have used excerpts and variations of the lyrics in their own compositions. The English national rugby team can barely play a match without their supporters breaking into this song at some stage.
With its theme of going to a better place and helping others get there, 'Swing Low' was also adopted by the Civil Rights movement. It has taken on a life of its own, becoming much more than a simple Negro spiritual. In fact, it is now way up there along with other songs known the world over, like 'Happy Birthday'.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.calvinearl.com for more helpful information about The History Of The Most Famous Negro Spiritual
