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FISK JUBILEE SINGERS
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THE
FISK JUBILEE SINGERS
THE FIRST SINGERS OF THE
NEGRO SPIRITUAL IN CONCERT
Adapted from the writings of John W. Work, III
The story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers is one of America's great epics. The
achievements of this history-making group have been chronicled several times by
some of the country's leading magazines and publishers.
Their story begins October 6, in the year 1871. Fisk University had been founded five years prior to this date in Nashville, Tennessee, in the most humble of circumstances but in high hopes of making a significant cultural contribution to that area of the country. Very early after its founding serious financial problems began to plague the young university and the administration became fearful for its further continuance. Greatly increased financial aid, more friends, and a wider sphere of influence were critical needs.
The treasurer of the institution, George L. White, a sensitive amateur musician had listened to the informal singing of the students and had been strongly impressed by the beauty of their voices and the pathos of the songs they sang. He saw promising artistic results in the proper combination of these. White gave an inspired fusion to these beautiful voices and songs. He selected eleven of the best voices, which he molded into a fine choral ensemble. He made plans for a concert tour for this group, which was first named The Fisk Christian Singers.
The little group of singers left Nashville on October 6, 1871 to begin an adventure that is without precedent in American musical or educational annals. The first concerts were given in Ohio cities. The reports of the response of the first curiosity, and some expected hostility characterized this early audience response. However repeated concerts by the Singers saw the undesired reactions replaced by tremendously enthusiastic audience response, which finally reached the stage of ovations.
Very shortly the Singers found themselves in great demand throughout the North and East. Huge audiences greeted them everywhere. The newspapers showered them with unqualified praise. And what was most significant, important and devoted friends were created by the hundreds. Financial returns exceeded their highest hopes. The tour, which began with such uncertainty and precariousness, now emerged as a tremendous triumph. A New York minister wrote after a concert "I never saw a cultivated assemblage so moved and melted under the magnetism of music before." The Singers found that in New Haven the greatest minister in America, Henry Ward Beecher was scheduled for a public lecture on the same night as their concert. A large overflow audience greeted them there which was early added to by Reverend Beecher himself who had found only a handful of people at his lecture, whom he quickly dismissed.
Early on their tour
George L. White received the inspiration to change the name of the group from
Fisk Christian Singers to Fisk Jubilee Singers and their folk songs to Jubilee
songs. These names have lasted.
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Selections from the Fisk Jubilee Singers Songbook |
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great Camp meeting in the promised land A Happy New Year A little more faith in Jesus Anchor in the Lord Angels waiting at the door Been a listening Children, we all shall be free Chilly Water come, all of God's children Come down, angels Come, let us all go down Deep River Did not old Pharaoh get lost? Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel Don't you grieve after me Down by the River Farewell, my brother From every Grave-yard Gabriel's Trumpet's going to blow Getting read to die 'Gideon's Band Give me Jesus Go down, Moses Go, chain the Lion down Good-bye, Brothers Good news, the chariot's coming Good old Chariot Grace Gwine to ride up in the Chariot Hard Trials He Arose He's the lily of the Valley I ain't got weary yet I know that my redeemer lives I'm a rolling I'm a travelling to the grave I'm so glad I'm troubled in mind I want to be ready; or, walk in Jerusalem just like John In Bright Mansions above In the River of Jordan In that great getting-up morning I've been in the storm so long I've just come from the Fountain Keep me from sinking down Keep your lamps trimmed and burning Listen to the Angels Lord's Prayer Mary and Martha My good Lord's been here My Lord, what a mourning My way's cloudy Nobody knows the trouble I see Oh, give me the wings Oh, wasn't that a wide river Old ship of Zion O Redeemed O! Sinner Man Peter, go ring them bells Ride on, King Jesus Rise and Shine Rise, Mourners Rise, shine, for thy light is a-coming Roll, Jordan, roll Run to Jesus Shine, shine Sweet Canaan Show me the way Some of these mornings Steal away Swing low, sweet Chariot The Gospel train The Rocks and the Mountains The Angels changed my Name There's a meeting here to-night They led my Lord away This Old Time Religion Wait a little while Way over Jordan We are climbing the hills of Zion We'll stand the storm We shall walk thro' the valley What kind of shoes are you going to wear When Moses smote the water When shall I get there Wrestling Jacob Zion's Children
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