LaBarge Prompt #7

One artist that’s really stood out to me in this class is The Fisk Jubilee Singers. I never really understood their impact until now. Learning about how they took the spiritual songs born out of slavery and suffering and brought them to the stage changed how I hear this music. It’s incredible to think about how a group of college students carried this music across the country, keeping their history and faith alive through song. The song that connects most for me is “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” I’ve heard it countless times growing up, but now I hear it differently. After studying the roots of gospel and spirituals, I can now understand the layers in it, the hope of something greater, and the faith behind the words. There’s something timeless about it, it still carries that same emotional weight today. Listening to it after learning the history behind it made me realize how powerful gospel music really is.