A Thought That Royally PISSED me off...Momentarily.

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Comment by Lynn on February 20, 2011 at 8:00pm

Hmh.  Thought I was the only one who did this.  One distinctly stressful period 7 years ago I was depressed and listened to the spirituals and replayed them ad nauseam, bit by bit envisioning myself instead of a god and replacing "my Lord" with "Lynn".  I used them to remind myself that I had only myself to rely on.  Sort of that revolutionary spirit Thomas and Bruce speak of.

 

 

Comment by Alona Naga on February 14, 2011 at 5:20pm

@ Bruce Lindman: I don't normally have a visceral reaction to slave songs I think that knowing them can have some positive historical and cultural value. It is the how, when, and where that triggered the reaction. If I had learned these songs in school or some other positive environment I would probably not have had that reaction, but I learned them in a place full of people telling me that I was going to hell while taking the allowance I just received as an offering(No I didn't have a choice) so thats has alot to do with my reaction.

Comment by thomas smith on February 14, 2011 at 6:57am

the musicial value can be independent of the content of the song and the real content/ meaning of some african american "slave songs" are actually revolutionary.

this particular one is, the real meaning was lets runaway from slavery across the water I.E. north across the river; an idea that woud get you killed if the slave holders understood and found out. definately defiant!!.

the musical quality it self stands separately from the message in this particular song note.Ramsey Lewis piano jazz version circa 1970s gained popularity and most folks had no idea about its origin!!

I do hear your deeper message, how do we purge ourselves of the psychological, social and anthropological scars and stains of slavery ?  at least you have taken on step by discarding the idea of god  being in charge and therefore you must suffer what ever happens (slavery)

Comment by Shannon on February 13, 2011 at 10:27pm

I've got a good one for you.  I wrote several songs about god and his spirit in the world.  What the heck do I do with them now?  i could make an album "Spiritual Songs for the Atheist"  Then I'd just irritate myself.

Comment by Rev. Mathew G. Thompson on February 13, 2011 at 6:36pm

I know what you mean, Gary.

The church I went to with my family was one of those Upper Midwest Lutheran type where all the hymns sounded like funeral dirges.

Whenever I get one of those stuck in my head I try to think of something by the Cowsills or the Partridge Family. They suck but they get out what's stuck.

 

Rev