CONNECT WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN: LESSON #8

CONNECT WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN: LESSON #8

 

Yesterday we examined two African-American poets wrote about not giving up and rising in the world that has held them back. (slavery, racial prejudice etc)

 

Slaves had no entertainment other than their songs as they worked in the fields and in the evening.

 

There was an influence of the African American spirituals on gospel music

 

Gospel music as we know it began in the 1930s but the roots can be seen much earlier in the southern states. African American communities in the late 19th century would come together in their churches to give praise and sing poignant spirituals and hymns. The power of the message and rhythm of the music would often come out through the hand-clapping and foot-stomping still seen in churches to this day. Before that, those spirituals were an important part of slave culture. Groups of slaves would sing together as they worked on plantations, often choosing old songs connected to their faith. For some, this was little more than a way to feel closer to God during hardship. For others, the communal songs and harmonies would create bonds between workers. There was also the use of song as a means of covert communication.

 

Read-

 

Cat Stevens: ‘Morning Has Broken’

 

‘Morning Has Broken’ is a hymn written by the English children’s author Eleanor Farjeon in 1931. Cat Stevens’ almost reverential arrangement of the song - featuring the expressive piano playing of Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman - was recorded in 1971 for his album Teaser And The Firecat.

 

Morning has broken like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird

Praise for the singing

Praise for the morning

Praise for them springing fresh from the world

 

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven

Like the first dewfall on the first grass

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden

Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

 

Mine is the sunlight

Mine is the morning

Born of the one light Eden saw play

Praise with elation, praise ev'ry morning

God's recreation of the new day

 

Morning has broken like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird

Praise for the singing

Praise for the morning

Praise for them springing fresh from the world

 

Watch-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0TInLOJuUM

 

 

What does he think about the new day?

 

Let’s end on that happy note. And make every day that you are alive a happy day!

Hugs,

GM

 

Who are you? BC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5F-YjMxdeE

Billy Collins, Former U.S. Poet Laureate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMCGRJYiyNs

 

I will start-

.

Wow - seventy-six

Not brassy trombones but years

Quite a lengthy span

 

Friends - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT0HrNNb5N4