Allen, William Francis, Garrison, Lucy McKim, Ware, Charles Pickard.,
Slave Songs of The United States
. Massachusetts: Applewood Books, 1867.
This is a collection of spirituals and secular songs sung during the days of slavery that allows one to peer into the world of the enslaved African through music. Attempts have been made when possibel to describe the appropriate situation for each song.
Cone, James H.,
The Spirituals And The Blues
. New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1995.
This is a dissertation on the power of spiritual music. It shows how black music helped to preserve black history and culture for future generations in a time when written words were forbidden.
Floyd, Samuel A. Jr.,
The Power of Black Music
. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.
This dissertation on the power of spiritual music. It shows how black music helped to preserve black history and culture for generations in a time when written words were forbidden.
Haskins, James.,
Black Music In America
. New York: HarperTrophy, 1987.
This book explains the impact black music has had on society from slavery through the twentieth century.
Lincoln, C. Eric & Mamiya, Lawrence H.,
The Black Church in the African American Experience
. Durham: Duke Univ. Press, 1990.
This book outlines the role the black church has played in black culture. It presents the church’s views on the Black Consciousness Movement, as well as The Civil Rights Movement. It examines the church’s role in black economics and projects that role in the 21st century.
Mullane, Deidre.,
Crossing The Danger Water
. New York: Doubleday, 1993.
This book contains 300 years of black literature. Works by Phyllis Wheatley, Oludah Equiano, black rebels, black revolutionary war soldiers, witnesses at the auction of Thomas Jefferson’s daughter and others are presented.
Spencer, Jon Michael.,
Protest & Praise
. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1990.
Protest & Praise’s chapters are divided into those containing songs of worship and those containing songs to stir and galvanize the people to action. This book contains lyrics and commentary from the author about the songs’ origin and effects on black culture.
Walker, Wyatt Tee.,
Somebody’s Calling My Name
. Pennsylvania: Judson Press, 1979.
This book charts the roots and evolution of black music, from Africa to America. A discussion of black music’s significance in society in the past, present and future is presented.