We'll Understand It Better By and By by Bernice Johnson Reagon

Out of the civil rights movement of the second half of the twentieth century have come the bold and beautiful freedom songs and contemporary gospel and praise songs. Out of the depression of the 1930s came the great gospel songs. … Out of the bondage of enslavement came the spiritual. The most severe and adverse situations brought forth the greatest and most powerful songs.Īs in the first centuries of the Christian church when believers endured great persecution, singing not only sustained but brought triumph in the midst of the most difficult circumstances. What follows are excerpts from Gwendolin Sims Warren’s very helpful book on the history of music in the Black Church, which includes song examples and stirring background stories and biographies of songwriters: Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit: 101 Best-Loved Psalms, Gospel Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the African American Church (New York: Henry Holt and Co., 1997, pp. What is “gospel music”? How does it uniquely relate to and express the historical experience of Black Christians? For starters, here’s something on the topic of music.

In light of the intersection between Black History Month and Grace Meridian Hill’s commitment to build a “cross-cultural community,” I’ll be sharing a series of posts this month on notable individuals, features, institutions, and events in the history and heritage of the African-American Church.

We'll Understand It Better By and By by Bernice Johnson Reagon