Spirituals
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
If you view the song as carrying a religious message, explain what the chariot represents. What is meant by the word "home"? What is the overall subject of the song?
The chariot represents death. The poet asks it to come carry him/her home. Home means heaven. The subject of the song is being tired and wanting to die peacefully. This is an old slavery song and is sung in many churches.
If you interpret this song as a protest song, depicting a slaves desire for freedom, explain what the chariot represents. What is meant by the word "home"? What does Jordan, the river that formed the boundary to the Promised Land in ancient times, represent in this case? What does the "band of angels" represent?
I do not view this song as a protest song, but if it were, the chariot would mean rescue and home would still mean heaven or a place of freedom. Jordan would represent the gate to heaven and the band of angels would represent a rescue party.
For what types of situations would people write protest songs today?
People might write protest songs about events like the attack on Paris or about certain political figures.
Give an example of a modern-day protest song (name and artist who performs it) and briefly summarize what message it contains. (You do not need to provide the lyrics.)
An example of a modern-day protest song is “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day. The song is protesting the Bush Organization and 9/11.
Go Down, Moses
Whom does Pharaoh represent? Whom do the Israelites represent?
The Pharaoh represents slave masters and the Israelites represent American slaves.
Harriet Tubman led slaves to freedom through the underground railroad. She became known as the "Moses of her people" and once said to a slave who was too scared to continue, "You'll be free or die a slave." Compare her words to Patrick Henry's famous line, "Give me liberty or give me death."
When Harriet Tubman said “You’ll be free or die a slave” she was stating an ultimatum. She is trying to show that there is one path or another, but no compromise. This is exactly what Patrick Henry meant.
Give an example of a modern-day song that inspires people to fight against injustice. Provide the name of the song and the artist. You may provide an example of the lyrics as long as they are appropriate for the class.
“Face Down” by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. This song is about a girl who is in an abusive relationship and the writer of the song does not understand why she is sticking around.