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Servant Imagery in African-American Spirituals

Servant Imagery in African-American Spirituals Lonnell E. Johnson 0 black and unknown bards of long ago, How came your lips to touch the sacred fire? How, in your darkness, did you come to know The power and beauty of the minstrel's lyre? (James Weldon Johnson)' The term .. slave" generally brings to mind a series of negative images which most Americans associate with the African slave trade. However, nowhere is the slave (or servant) more dramatically portrayed than in the Bible, which unfolds a striking illustration of the institution with all of its many paradoxes and complexities. In spite of the images initially evoked, the biblical concept of slavery or servitude has been used to promote the noble and elevating ideal of service to God. The concept of servant and master is developed in the book of Exodus to describe the covenant between Israel and God. The crux of the exodus expe­ rience is the release of the Children of Israel from Egyptian bondage in order for them to better serve God. Throughout the Old Testament this sort of servant­ master relationship is portrayed, not only with reference to the Hebrew col­ lectivity, but with reference to various individuals. Job, David, Daniel, Shad­ rach, http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Black Sacred Music Duke University Press

Servant Imagery in African-American Spirituals

Johnson, Lonnell E.
Black Sacred Music , Volume 2 (1) – Mar 1, 1988
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Copyright
© Copyright 1988 JBSM/Jon Michael Spencer
ISSN
1043-9455
eISSN
2640-9879
DOI
10.1215/10439455-2.1.45
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Lonnell E. Johnson 0 black and unknown bards of long ago, How came your lips to touch the sacred fire? How, in your darkness, did you come to know The power and beauty of the minstrel's lyre? (James Weldon Johnson)' The term .. slave" generally brings to mind a series of negative images which most Americans associate with the African slave trade. However, nowhere is the slave (or servant) more dramatically portrayed than in the Bible, which unfolds a striking illustration of the institution with all of its many paradoxes and complexities. In spite of the images initially evoked, the biblical concept of slavery or servitude has been used to promote the noble and elevating ideal of service to God. The concept of servant and master is developed in the book of Exodus to describe the covenant between Israel and God. The crux of the exodus expe­ rience is the release of the Children of Israel from Egyptian bondage in order for them to better serve God. Throughout the Old Testament this sort of servant­ master relationship is portrayed, not only with reference to the Hebrew col­ lectivity, but with reference to various individuals. Job, David, Daniel, Shad­ rach,

Journal

Black Sacred Music – Duke University Press

Published: Mar 1, 1988

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