Spirituals
Religious slave songs
Spirituals are religious folk songs originating among enslaved African Americans in the United States, blending Christian themes with African musical traditions.
They often feature call-and-response patterns, improvisation, and coded language that conveyed messages of resistance or escape, such as references to the Underground Railroad.
Many spirituals use repetitive structures and syncopated rhythms, making them distinct from European hymnody.
Famous examples include Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and Go Down, Moses.
Religious songs of worship
- gospelSacred choral tradition
- folk songsInherited communal music
- choralOf group singing
- anthemsOfficial ceremonial songs
religious music · sacred songs · jubilees · call-and-response · a cappella · harmonies · work songs · freedom songs
Covert abolitionist escape network
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
- MosesHebrew prophet, liberator
- ExodusMass departure from a place
coded messages · escape · liberation · emancipation · suffering · perseverance · hope · resistance
Innermost animating essence
- prayerAddress to deity
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- heavenSky or bliss
Jesus · God · worship · belief · transcendence · eternal life · grace · resurrection
Organized group of singers
- concertLive musical performance
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- baritoneMid-range male voice
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
Marian Anderson · Paul Robeson · recital · oratorio · symphony · classical · repertoire · vocalist
African American spiritual hymn
- Amazing GraceHymn about divine mercy
- KumbayaFolk spiritual invoking presence
hymns
Religious songs of worship
- gospelSacred choral tradition
- folk songsInherited communal music
- choralOf group singing
anthems · religious music · sacred songs · jubilees · call-and-response · a cappella · harmonies · work songs · freedom songs · revival hymns
Underground Railroad
Covert abolitionist escape network
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
- MosesHebrew prophet, liberator
Exodus · coded messages · escape · liberation · emancipation · suffering · perseverance · hope · resistance · abolition
soul
Innermost animating essence
heaven · Jesus · God · worship · belief · transcendence · eternal life · grace · resurrection · divine
choir
Organized group of singers
- concertLive musical performance
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- baritoneMid-range male voice
Marian Anderson · Paul Robeson · soloist · recital · oratorio · symphony · classical · repertoire · vocalist · contralto
Go Down Moses
African American spiritual hymn
- Amazing GraceHymn about divine mercy
- KumbayaFolk spiritual invoking presence
- Medieval Heresies
Spiritualswork songs
Music accompanying manual labor
drinking songs · bawdy songs · ragtime · dance music · honky-tonk
Spiritualsblues
Mournful American music genre
delta blues · laments · prison songs · chain gang songs · torch songs
- spiritual enlightenmentProfound transcendent awareness
- spiritual counselingGuidance on matters of faith
- spiritual journeyPursuit of transcendent meaning
- spiritual traditionsEstablished systems of sacred practice
- spiritual redemptionSoul restored to grace
- spiritual textsReligious writings and teachings
spiritual, spiritually, spirituality, spiritualism, spiritualist