Rocks and the firm roots of trees. The rising shafts of mountains. Something strong to put my hands on. Sing, O Lord Jesus! Song is a strong thing. I heard my mother singing When life hurt her: Gonna ride in my chariot some day! The branches rise From the firm roots of trees. The mountains rise From the solid lap of earth. The waves rise From the dead weight of sea. Sing, O black mother! Song is a strong thing.
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Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Spirituals", appears in Fields of Wonder, first published 1947 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Frank W. Brazinski (b. 1932), "Spirituals" [ baritone or tenor, unaccompanied ], from Names in Uphill Letters [sung text not yet checked]
- by Shawn Okpebholo (b. 1981), "Spirituals", first performed 2022 [ voice and piano ], from Words like Freedom, no. 7 [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2021-01-21
Line count: 16
Word count: 80