Anyone who has the desire to sing the Negro Spirituals will find this recording a useful tool for learning. And for those who wish to listen to the music for the sake of satisfying the needs of the spirit and soul, these Negro Spirituals will be the "Balm in Gilead" that will make you whole.

Of the many thousands of Spirituals that is said to exist within this vast body of African-American song literature only nineteen are recorded in this collection. Included here are spirituals that well represent three groups that are commonly use to catalogue these musical jewels. (1) The slow, sustained, long-phrase melody include songs, "Nobody knows de trouble I see," and "My Lord what a mourning," performed with great depths of understanding and feeling. The variations of the melody, the meditative mood and the occasional free rhythm bring out the beauty of the song. Added words and notes are used in certain phrases as a way of personal but effective interpretation. Successful execution of this performance practice is achieved only when the performer has true knowledge and understanding of the song(s). The Spiritual, "I’m trying to get ready," is performed with a steady beat which reminds one of listening to these people singing and stomping their feet on wooden floors of the old country church as they fervently worshipped and praised God. Listen for the sincere desire to "try on my long white robe". (2) The signal songs or "coded" spirituals are those with hidden or double meanings and oft-times coded messages. Such songs were used often among the slaves to signal or give warning to each other of some secret meeting, plan of escape or to avoid capture. Among these songs are, "And He never said a mumbelin’ word," "Go down Moses," "Oh Freedom," and "Steal Away to Jesus."

(3) The "call and response chant" Spirituals with syncopated, segmented melody include, " I want to be ready; or, walk in Jerusalem just like John," " Ev'ry time I feel the spirit moving in my heart I will pray," and "A little more faith in Jesus." He creates a totally different mood with crisp rhythms, syncopation and dynamics, with this well-known call and response form. These lively performances bring out the joy in the singer’s heart and I am sure will be contagious.

The Negro Spirituals are very unique to the American music culture and I thank people like Oral Moses who help to preserve this vital and significant music tradition.

Listen To Negro Spirituals On-Line

Nobody knows de trouble I see

Oh Freedom

Tryin’ to get ready

And he never said a mumberlin’ word

Joshua fit de battle ob Jericho

I’m a rollin’

Po’ pilgrim of sorrow; or, A city called Heaven

Steal Away

Ev’ry time I feel the spirit

Listen to the Angels shouting

My Lord, what a mourning

I want to be ready; or, walk in Jerusalem just like John

Go down Moses

A little more faith in Jesus

Deep River

'Tis the old ship of Zion

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen

Swing low, sweet chariot

Great Day!

A little more faith in Jesus

Deep River