Zocko Littleton Jr- Prompt 3

“Mary, Don’t You Weep” (a.k.a. O Mary, Don’t You Weep, Don’t You Mourn) is a traditional African American spiritual that was popular before the Civil War, as were many African American spirituals, in an oral tradition among the slave communities. The song itself references biblical images of Mary of Bethany weeping for her brother Lazarus and God parting the Red Sea to lead his people from slavery in Egypt. The song’s refrain, “God gave Noah the rainbow sign, no more water, the fire next time,” has been used as a rallying cry in African American culture. It is both an example of a work that has continued to be performed and adapted (into gospel, folk, soul music, etc.) over the years, and an example of music with distinctly African American resonance and use. I have selected Aretha Franklin’s performance of this spiritual. Her interpretation of this song allows her to both lament her condition and to take ownership of the song by including a sense of triumph in the performance.