10 Social Studies - Music Through Time - Slavery in America

Hey there!

This is my first blog post for social studies!

In social studies, we have been basing our topics around music through time. How music has been a very big part of history. Our first topic was slavery in America, and because of how bad it was it is engraved deeply in American history. Because it was a significant event, it is still being talked about and mentioned till today. There is still even racism going on till now, mention the 'Black Lives Matter' protest. 

Through American slavery, there were many African captured from Africa and were brought to America to be sold. Starting only through the journey to America the Africans were going through a really hard time. It was hot they were bunched together in small areas. They were abused, and they died from starvation or thirst or were just killed. This is where it started, how they used music to survive, to get through their tough times they sang. Multiple events they used singing to communicate, as the people who stole them couldn't understand their language. They would take it to an advantage and sung with each other to plan escapes.

When they arrived in America they had to do so much labor in the plantations which were exhausting, so much till the point, they died. To get through everything they always sang and made songs. Each of those songs had messages or meaning, the messages were usually used to help slaves escape. When they sang it gave them hope there Is something to hold on to, that's why their songs were religious. Now in Africa singing is very very important to them. 

An important person from this event was named 'Harriet Tubman' who was a woman who was born into slavery. She was a big hero to the slaves, she saved thousands of slaves. By leading them to Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was an escape route for the slaves. This led them outside the slavery borders.

Here is a song I have chosen from which they had created:

'Follow the Drinking Gourd' 

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is comin' just to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

When the sun comes back, and the first quail calls
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting just to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Well the river bank makes a mighty good road
Dead trees will show you the way
Left foot, peg foot, travelin' on
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Well the river ends, between two hills
Follow the drinkin' gourd
There's another river on the other side
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Well, where the great big river meets the little river
Follow the drinkin' gourd
The old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

For the old man is waiting just to carry you to freedom
If you follow the drinkin' gourd

As you can see from the part that I have highlighted, according to the internet it is 

supposed to be a describe the route from northern missipi to tenesee. The song 

was used to describe the route. The route was used for escaping slaves, especially 

the young ones. This song is also connectected to the big dipper constellation. 

Because the drinking gourd meant the hollowed out gourd used by the slaves as a 

water dipper. Used there they used it as a code name for the Big Dipper star formation. As it points to Polaris, the Pole Star, and North.

Honestly when you really think about it, it musti've been really hard for the 

slaves, using songs to communicate. If they didn't use songs or had spoken a 

different language they probably wouldn't have been able to send messages around. Just imagine how unfortunate it would have been and terrifying. If the 'masters' found out about their escapes. They were so lucky to have people there who never 

gave up. Who always had hope or faith in finding a way to escape, it just happened to be a miracle. 

I am so lucky that I was born into this generation, because I am not 'white' and 

there would have been a lot of racism directed at me. I'm happy I didn't go through 

the hardships of our ancestors. I have acknowledged the tough times the slaves had went through, and how music helped them through everything. I realised music 

isn't just some nice beats you listen to. But it has so much meaning, especially throughout history. It is something so much more and so important, for me I love 

music it gets me through a lot. I know there is much more to learn about music, and I am looking forward to it.