Spirituals were originally passed down orally. They may be the first call and response form of music similar to that heard in the blues. You may think of spirituals as all being sad and slow like Sometimes I feel like a Motherless child and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, songs seen in many guitar instruction books. Other spirituals are joyful jubilees. They are fast with strong rhythms like Rock My Soul. Spirituals like Go Down Moses were used as code to help bring people to freedom. I'll Fly Away was actually composed by Albert E. Brumley. You may be familiar with Kumbaya which was originally Come By Here. No matter who they were composed by, they played significant roles in protest movements. Think about We Shall Overcome and Bob Marley's, Redemption Song.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot recording used under Fair Use law for educational purposes only.