Throughout the history of slavery in the Americas, music carried messages of survival, rebellion, and solidarity. Enslaved people composed songs that were far more than laments—they were calls for liberty and revolution, celebrating heroes like Gabriel Prosser and Nat Turner and the triumph of the Haitian Revolution.
Alongside these songs, fugitive and free Black people and white abolitionist allies created and circulated songs that fueled the abolitionist movement. Sung in meetings, printed in songbooks, and passed hand to hand, these works stirred action and sustained courage well into the Civil War.
A Songbook of Slavery and Emancipation brings together these long?hidden voices. Mat Callahan and Kathy Bullock present sheet music for recently unearthed slave songs and abolitionist songs—some dating as far back as 1784—to make them available to chorus leaders, music teachers, church and community groups, and individual singers and musicians inspired by these powerful songs. Included in the book is a brief history of the project, background material on each song, and explanatory notes regarding the different styles of singing presented.
This collection stands as both history and testimony: a living archive of music that called for the end of slavery, the emancipation of African Americans, and a future built on equality and human dignity. These songs do not simply mourn oppression; they demand resistance, freedom, and justice.
- 75 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
A Songbook of Slavery and Emancipation
About this book
Trusted by 375,005 students
Access to over 1.5 million titles for a fair monthly price.
Study more efficiently using our study tools.
Information
Subtopic
African American HistoryTable of contents
- Cover Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Introduction
- Performance Practice
- Slave Songs
- Abolitionist Songs
- Songs Sources
- Index of Songs
- About the Editors
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cancel anytime from the Subscription tab in your account settings on the Perlego website. Your subscription will stay active until the end of your current billing period. Learn how to cancel your subscription
No, books cannot be downloaded as external files, such as PDFs, for use outside of Perlego. However, you can download books within the Perlego app for offline reading on mobile or tablet. Learn how to download books offline
Perlego offers two plans: Essential and Complete
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.5M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
We are an online textbook subscription service, where you can get access to an entire online library for less than the price of a single book per month. With over 1.5 million books across 990+ topics, we’ve got you covered! Learn about our mission
Look out for the read-aloud symbol on your next book to see if you can listen to it. The read-aloud tool reads text aloud for you, highlighting the text as it is being read. You can pause it, speed it up and slow it down. Learn more about Read Aloud
Yes! You can use the Perlego app on both iOS and Android devices to read anytime, anywhere — even offline. Perfect for commutes or when you’re on the go.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Yes, you can access A Songbook of Slavery and Emancipation by Kathy Bullock, Mat Callahan in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Media & Performing Arts & African American History. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.