Field Hollers, Work Songs & Spirituals

field hollers were performed

• by one person who was excused from work to provide entertainment to the other workers

• by a band on the side of the field

• collectively by those working

what purposes did field hollers serve?

• helped pass the time while working

• helped release the emotions of those singing

• helped workers feel in solidarity with others -- share the burden of their work

• helped express the collective longing for freedom

This sound clip is from the group

• Sweet Honey in the Rock

• MacIntosh County Shouters

• Nirvana

• Texas Penitentiary Singers

the lyrics in this work song express

• the desire to lie down and watch tv

• the exhaustion of the workers

• happiness that the singers are out working on a beautiful day

the percussive sounds in this audio clip are probably

• sounds from inside a factory

• sounds of dancing

• talking drums

• hammers hitting railroad ties

What are some reasons white slave owners banned African music on their plantations?

• they considered the music to be idolatrous and wild

• they hated music of all kinds

• they feared the music could incite revolts

• they wanted to weaken the people working for them by cutting them off from their cultural heritage

this sound clip is from

• a field holler

• a ring shout

• the blues

• a spiritual

Some characteristics of traditional African music found in Field Hollers include

• call and response

• participatory, collective music making

• beat felt on the 2 and 4

• use of improvisation

• use of drums

describe how some spirituals helped keep the hope of freedom alive, and even provide directions for how to escape

Culturally and historically, where do field hollers come from? How did they develop in the US? Your answer should be at least a paragraph long and include the words "Africa" and "slavery"