HARMONYISHARMONY

 

 

 

Are you there SPIRIT You are there

 

These “folk” songs covering a diverse span of subjects have been interchangeably called

myriad names including negro spirituals, negro religious songs, jubilee; minstrel; and story

songs; work, slave, plantation, and chain gang songs; and “corn ditties.” Because white

owners felt Christianization of their slaves led to their good behavior, religious efforts were

encouraged and plantation ‘praise houses’ were built where they could dance, sing and

play drums. These luminous beings sang not only as a way of life inherent in their culture, they sang to transcend the pain, emotion, or anger of the individual or the collective slave experience. Their songs were ultimately being employed in a quest for freedom from their daily atrocities. Slaves were indeed profoundly tested with physical and emotional means full of desperation, blood, sweat and tears. Yet ultimately their innate power, strength, and divine connection carried these beings of uncanny and remarkable resourcefulness through to the “Promised Land.”

CD Libretto in Translation : CS - DE - ES - FR - NL - PL - PT - RU

Are you there SPIRIT

you are there