African-American Spiritual: “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”

“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” is one of the most recognized African-American Spirituals in American history. Scholars have varying explanations of its origin; some claim it was written by unknown slaves in the deep south, while others believe it was written by an Oklahoma slave named Wallace Willis. The spiritual was first introduced to the American audience in the late 19th century by The Jubilee Singers of Fisk University. The all-black college formed this group of singers to travel and raise money to aid in financial struggles. The choir was able to save their school, while also introducing White Americans to African-American Spirituals. Wallace Willis is thought to have been owned by a Choctaw Indian, Britt Willis. The song, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, is therefore believed to also have Native American influence. Native Americans also faced segregation and had to learn to adapt to white society, much like the African-Americans of the time.

Many believe this specific spiritual has a coded message used to pass information about the underground railroad. As evangelical Christianity spread through the southern states during the Second Great Awakening, slaves began to develop songs of pain and worship to voice the pain and anger instilled in them by the cruelty of some slave owners. Slave holders banned drums and dancing, but were sometimes allowed to meet for regular worship services and sing songs of praise both inside and outside of services (negrospirituals.com). “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” is thought to explain the slaves’ hope to be recused from slavery by the operatives of the Underground Railroad. The “chariot” mentioned in the song is believed to refer to the actual Underground Railroad, a dangerous route of pathways and “stations” to the North, while the lyrics “coming for to carry me home” refer to the promise of freedom in the Northern states (negrospirituals.com). If slaves were captured while trying to escape through the Underground Railroad, they were...