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Spirituals: Stories
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Drawing on stories from the Old and New Testament, the spirituals dealt with religious themes-faith, freedom, hope and salvation. They expressed sorrow over life in bondage, but ... hope in a better life. Frederick Douglass, the fugitive slave who would become one of this country's leading abolitionists, described the significance of the spirituals with these words:
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This exciting suite tells the story of the birth of Christ by weaving spirituals together. The shepherds start the journey with RISE UP, SHEPHERD. Two other spirituals follow -- WHAT MONTH WAS MY JESUS BORN IN and THE VIRGIN MARY HAD-A ONE SON -- leading into "Mary Had a Baby, SHOUT FOR JOY!" The suite ends with a rousing gospel arrangement of GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN. This idiomatic suite would be at home in school and church programs alike.
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For each of the spirituals in Randall's anthology, comment on why the topic might have interested members of an oppressed people. Which details of the story are emphasized, and why? Are there elements of humor, and if so, how do these reinforce the main point?
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