Lucy McKim Garrison Boeken

Originally published in 1867, this book is a collection of songs of African-American slaves. A few of the songs were written after the emancipation, but all were inspired by slavery. The wild, sad strains tell, as the sufferers themselves could, of crushed hopes, keen sorrow, and a dull, daily misery, which covered them as hopelessly as the fog from the rice swamps. On the other hand, the words breathe a trusting faith in the life after, to which their eyes seem constantly turned.

The book features a significant collection of over 130 African American spirituals, work songs, and folk songs from the antebellum era, gathered by the authors in the 1860s. Each song is accompanied by lyrics and sheet music, along with historical and cultural insights. This work serves as a vital historical document, shedding light on African American music and culture. Its enduring relevance has led to numerous republishings, making it a key resource for scholars and musicians alike, while also preserving an important cultural legacy.