Although slavery and Spirituals have been the subject of many books, this is the first to place the music squarely within the reality of slave life. In addition to surveying the musical styles, performance practices, and melodic and rhythmic characteristics of Spirituals, Dr. Guenther's account weaves a succinct history of slavery in America into the role of singing and religion in the lives of the enslaved. This book directly correlates slave narratives and interviews to the themes of Spirituals and the times and places that gave birth to them. With this indispensable context for the informed interpretation of Spirituals in concerts and worship services, performers, conductors, and listeners will be motivated to look anew to Spirituals for encouragement and inspiration today.

Origins of spirituals -- Musical characteristics and performance practice -- The Maafa and the history of slavery -- Antebellum slave narratives and interviews -- Witness : slave testimonies -- Christian religion and slavery -- Slave religion : the tertium quid -- The big house and the master -- Life in the slave quarter -- The most vulnerable -- Work -- Rituals in slave life -- Sold down the river -- Slave control -- Slave rebellion -- Escape -- Spiritual after the Civil War -- Themes of spirituals -- Slavery and spirituals : a synopsis.