The Blues: “Music that Reflects Our Ancestors Cry”

Mable Osemwegie

Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………..3 Congo Square(past and present)……………………………...……………...4
Story of Storyville/ The Chitlin’ Circuit…………………………………….5
Blues Personality Profile……………………………………………………..6
Words of Blues Song…………………………………………………………7
Blues Instruments…………………………………………………………….8
Jazz Personality Profile……………………………………………………..9
Words of Jazz Song…………………………………………………………10
Original Blues Song…………………………………………………………11
Afterword……………………………………………………………………12

Introduction

Blues has its deepest roots in the work songs of the West African slaves in the South. During their back-breaking work in the fields of the Southern plantation owners, black slaves developed a "call and response" way of singing to give rhythm to the drudgery of their servitude. These "field hollers" served as a basis of all blues music that was to follow. Although the lyrics of many blues songs are soulful and melancholy, the music as a whole is a powerful, emotive and rhythmic music celebrating the life of black Americans. The lyrics of the songs reflected daily themes of their lives including: sex, drinking, railroads, jail, murder, poverty, hard labor and love lost.

Congo Square (past)
Congo Square was a market area where African slaves could sell their wares on “free days.” Though legally slaves were forbidden from owning any kind of property, gathering in large groups, or conducting trade on their own, slave masters and colonial authorities usually did not interfere with the market. Freed from forced labor on Sundays and religious holidays, slaves would typically use these days to hire themselves out or bring their surplus product to the market.

Congo Square