The History of Spirituals and Gospel Music
Songs of faith, hope and freedom – and their influence on soul.
Spirituals were created by enslaved African Americans, and gospel music grew from them in the Black churches of the 20th century. Both have shaped popular music – and gospel choirs today sing all over the world, including in Germany.
The Story
In the 18th and 19th centuries, enslaved African Americans created spirituals – religious songs that combined African musical traditions with Christian hymns. They expressed faith, suffering and the hope of freedom. Some historians believe certain spirituals also carried hidden messages about escape.
After slavery ended in 1865, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, students from Fisk University in Nashville, toured America and Europe from 1871 to raise money for their university. They sang spirituals for audiences who had never heard them – including Queen Victoria in 1873 – and made this music famous around the world.
In the early 20th century, gospel music developed in Black churches. Thomas A. Dorsey, often called "the father of gospel music", wrote songs that mixed church music with blues. Mahalia Jackson became the greatest gospel singer of her time and sang at the March on Washington in 1963. Gospel shaped soul music through singers such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, who both started out singing in church.
Timeline
The key dates at a glance.
- 1700s–1800sEnslaved African Americans create spirituals.
- 1865Slavery is abolished in the United States.
- 1871The Fisk Jubilee Singers begin touring.
- 1873The Fisk Jubilee Singers sing for Queen Victoria.
- 1932Thomas A. Dorsey writes "Take My Hand, Precious Lord".
- 1963Mahalia Jackson sings at the March on Washington.
- 1960sGospel-trained singers shape soul music.
Key People
The musicians who shaped this story.
The Fisk Jubilee Singers
from 1871Brought spirituals to concert halls in America and Europe.
Thomas A. Dorsey
1899–1993Songwriter known as "the father of gospel music".
Mahalia Jackson
1911–1972"The Queen of Gospel" and a voice of the civil rights movement.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
1915–1973Gospel singer and guitarist who influenced early rock and roll.
Aretha Franklin
1942–2018"The Queen of Soul", who began singing in her father's church.
Key Words
Ten essential words with their German meaning and an example sentence.
| English | German | Example |
|---|---|---|
| spiritual | Spiritual | "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a famous spiritual. |
| gospel music | Gospelmusik | Gospel music is full of energy and joy. |
| hymn | Kirchenlied, Hymne | Spirituals mixed African music with Christian hymns. |
| enslaved people | versklavte Menschen | Enslaved people created these songs in the 1800s. |
| congregation | Gemeinde | The whole congregation sang along. |
| faith | Glaube | The songs express deep faith. |
| freedom | Freiheit | Many spirituals are about the hope of freedom. |
| to clap along | mitklatschen | Everyone clapped along to the rhythm. |
| soul music | Soulmusik | Soul music grew out of gospel and rhythm and blues. |
| civil rights movement | Bürgerrechtsbewegung | Music gave strength to the civil rights movement. |
Useful Phrases
Language for talking about music and its history.
Talking about history
- These songs were created by…
- They expressed the hope of…
- They brought this music to a wider audience.
- It later developed into…
A language note
- Today, many writers say "enslaved people" rather than "slaves".
- It shows that slavery was something done to people.
- "African American" and "Black" are both common.
- Respectful language matters when we talk about history.
Talk About It
Answer these questions aloud, write a short paragraph, or discuss them with a partner.
- Have you ever heard a gospel choir live? How did it feel?
- Why do you think music was so important for enslaved people?
- Why might people prefer the term "enslaved people"?
- Can music give people strength in difficult times? Give an example.
Test Yourself
Click a question to see the answer.
1. Who created spirituals?
Enslaved African Americans, in the 18th and 19th centuries.
2. Which group sang spirituals for Queen Victoria?
The Fisk Jubilee Singers.
3. Who is called "the father of gospel music"?
Thomas A. Dorsey.
Explore More
More from the Music History series.
Every song has a history.
Learn the story, learn the words – and share what you discover in English.
Songs of hope that changed the world.