The exact origin of black gospel music lyrics may still be a bit fuzzy, but one thing is absolutely certain. The segregation of the United States should have brought the spread of black gospel to a screeching halt at the edge of the African community. Now, over a century later, black gospel music lyrics have become a pillar in all corners of the Christian music world and stand as a powerful testament to the strength and love of the living God.
Popular belief states that these lyrics got their start among the African slaves living in the south in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a belief supported by the West African influence still found in the music. Meeting in small huts and churches that were lucky to boast enough seats for them to sit rather than stand the slaves didn't have a songbook in front of them or an overhead projector from which to read. When they came together they would have a "call and answer" service in which the preacher or a head singer would call out and the audience would respond. This would give way in later years to a choir and powerful soloists, but congregational participation remains a vital part of the service in black gospel churches.
Lyrics
When people have nothing, they take nothing for granted, and these gospel music lyrics are an inspirational cry out to the heavens. Rather than singing about God, they sing to him. Take, for example, the lyrics to "Beulah Land", a cornerstone in the history of black gospel. The congregation sings, "Beulah Land I'm longing for you, and someday on thee I'll stand. There my home shall be eternal, In Beulah Land, Sweet Beulah land". In these words we hear the voices of a people shouting out for freedom from the Father, a far cry from the staid and conservative lyrics that were found in the Catholic and Protestant churches at the time.
The message carried by these and other black gospel music lyrics was so strong it didn't stay among the slave population for long. The inspiration soon spread throughout the white community as well, particularly during the early 20th century when racial segregation in the south began to lose its power. Before long Baptist churches, once almost completely African-American, proudly boasted a mixed congregation, and this type of lyrics, and the singers that sang them, brought people in off the streets to stand and dance in the aisles.
The message brought by these services echoed throughout the community, drawing in men and women of all creed and color with the promise of breaking free of their chains. They would stand in the back of the church and cry out, earthly lineage forgotten in the face of celestial brotherhood. It wasn't long before black gospel music lyrics crossed the great divide and brought a nation together in praise.
When Black Gospel Music Lyrics Crossed the Great Divide Lyrics
0 comments:
Post a Comment