SLAVE SONGS OF
THE UNITED STATES

The Classic 1867 Anthology

Edited by William Francis Allen,
Charles Pickard Ware and
Lucy McKim Garrison

First published in 1867, this landmark book represented the first systematic effort to collect and preserve the songs sung by the plantation slaves of the Old South. To ensure authenticity, the editors notated most of the melodies and words directly from the singers themselves. The result was a rare musical treasury containing complete music and lyrics for over 130 songs, arranged by geographical region. Among them are:
Roll, Jordan, roll
Jehovah, Hallelujah
I hear from Heaven to-day
Michael, row the boat ashore
Turn sinner, turn
Nobody knows the trouble I’ve had
On to Glory
Jacob’s Ladder
My Father, how long?
No Man can hinder me
Heave away
Charleston Gals
I’m gwine to Alabamy
I want to die like-a Lazarus die
Belle Layotte
Musieu Bainjo
Lean on the Lord’s side
God got plenty a’ room

The book presents the melody line and all the known verses to each song. The editors also include directions for singing, along with a commentary on each song’s history, its possible variations, what some of its key references mean and other pertinent details. A new preface to the Dover edition by Harold Courlander appraises the book’s importance in American musical and cultural history.

Unabridged, corrected Dover (1995) republication of the work originally pub- lished by A. Simpson & Co., New York, 1867. New Preface to the Dover Edition by Harold Courlander. Introduction. “Directions for Singing.” Editorial commentary. 176pp. 5 3/8 x 8½. Paperbound.

ALSO AVAILABLE

NEGRO FOLK Music, U.S.A., Harold Courlander. 336pp. 5 3/8 x 8½. 27350-4 Pa. $7.95

Free Dover Complete Music Catalog (59057-7) available upon request.

ISBN 0-486-28573-1

90000 $6.95 IN USA 9 780486 285733
Reprinted from Dover back cover.
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