8th grade: Slave Narratives : African American Spirituals

Giovanni tells the story of Africans in America through the words of 46 spirituals.

During the 19th century, the authors recorded the music of the slaves from what was actually heard on plantations during, and immediately following, the Civil War. Directions for singing and musical scores are provided.

This engrossing account, illustrated with archival prints and photographs and appended with the words and music to seven songs, tells the inspiring story of the Jubilee Singers and reveals spirituals to be an invaluable and unique history of American slavery.