In February, we celebrate Black History Month—an annual observance in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, and the U.K. (and perhaps other places, as well) honoring the history, achievements, contributions, sacrifices, and struggles of African Americans.
As musicians, this is a good time to discover, program, and perform some new-to-us music and learn more about African-American composers, musicians, poets, and educators and their contributions to our field.
To celebrate Black History Month, here is a round-up of hymns, gospel songs, and spirituals written by Black composers. You’ll also find a resource list with nine African-American music and hymnody resources to guide your planning.
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Hymns & Gospel Songs by Black Composers
My Tribute (To God Be the Glory) (Andraé Crouch)
Nothing Between (Charles A. Tindley)
There's a Spirit of Love in This Place (Mark A. Miller)
Precious Lord, Take My Hand (Thomas A. Dorsey)
Through It All (Andraé Crouch)
Stand By Me (Charles A. Tindley)
There's a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in This Place (Doris Akers)
Lift Every Voice and Sing (music by J. Rosamond Johnson, text by James Weldon Johnson)
Leave It There (Charles A. Tindley)
Welcome (Mark A. Miller)
How Like a Gentle Spirit (text by C. Eric Lincoln)
Easter People, Raise Your Voices (text by William M. James)
Beams of Heaven as I Go (Charles A. Tindley)
Lead Me, Guide Me (Doris Akers)
MCKEE (In Christ There Is No East or West) (adapted and harmonized by Harry T. Burleigh)
We'll Understand It Better By and By (Charles A. Tindley)
Soon and Very Soon (Andraé Crouch)
Come Sunday (Duke Ellington)
The Storm is Passing Over (Charles A. Tindley)
Christ Has Broken Down the Wall (Mark A. Miller)
We've Come This Far By Faith (Albert A. Goodson)
How to Find These Hymns
Visit Hymnary.org and search for the title. Scroll down to Instances, near the bottom of the page to see a list of all the hymnals that include this hymn (with page numbers!).
Also, click the author’s name to see a short biography and a list of their other works in the Hymnary catalog.
African-American Spirituals
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Were You There
O, Mary, Don't You Weep
He Never Said a Mumblin' Word
He Rose
I'm Goin' a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing
Standing in the Need of Prayer
There Is a Balm in Gilead
Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
Go Down, Moses
I Will Trust in the Lord
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning
Kum ba yah
Nobody Knows the Trouble I See
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
Do Lord, Remember Me
We Shall Overcome
This Little Light of Mine
Let Us Break Bread Together
Fix Me, Lord
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
My Lord, What a Morning
I Want to Be Ready
Down By the Riverside
Give Me Jesus
I'm Gonna Live
Deep River
Take Me to the Water
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah
I'm So Glad
Jesus, Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child
African-American Church Music Resources:
Looking for resources to guide your worship planning or to share with your congregation this month? Here are nine African-American music and hymnody resources to consider:
References:
These are the sources I referenced in writing this post:
UMH Resources for Black History Month—a table outlining the hymns, songs, spirituals, litanies, and prayers from Africa or written by African Americans in The United Methodist Hymnal (1989)
African American Hymnody (Hymnology Archive)—lots of historical and biographical information on African American authors, photos, and extensive bibliographies
Hymnary.org—historical details about authors, copyright information, and a list of all the instances where the work has been published
African American Songs (Lift Up Your Hearts Hymnal)—a list of songs originating from the African-American community or composed/arranged by African Americans
I’d love to hear from you:
What are your favorite publications or websites for sourcing hymns written by Black composers?
