freedom songs
Movement protest music
Freedom songs are music associated with social and political movements, especially the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
These songs—often adapted from spirituals, hymns, and folk music—served to unify protesters, sustain morale, and express demands for equality: The marchers linked arms and sang freedom songs as they crossed the bridge. "We Shall Overcome" became the most famous example.
- spiritualsEnslaved people's sacred songs
- gospelSacred choral tradition
- folk musicCommunity-born acoustic songs
- activismDirect effort for reform
- anthemsOfficial ceremonial songs
Pete Seeger · Joan Baez · Nina Simone · Woody Guthrie · Bob Dylan · equality · Billie Holiday · liberation · hymns · chain gangs · oral tradition · collective memory · chants · Mahalia Jackson · raise your voice · resistance · civil rights · voices
- American Singingspirituals, blues, country, gospel, barbershop
- patriotic musicnational anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, patriotic music, God Save the Queen, God Save the King
- song themesnursery rhymes, anthems, carols, laments, spirituals
- Abolitionismabolitionists, abolitionist movement, anti-slavery, antislavery, abolitionism
- American Rootsblues, bluegrass, country, folk, jazz
- Black ChurchBaptist church, gospel choir, pastor, preacher, deacons
freedom songsmuzak
Inoffensive background melodies
background music · bubblegum pop · novelty songs · elevator music · dance music