1. According to Du Bois, the significance of what he calls the “sorrow songs” is that it is a root of all the American Music, and it is also a way to learn about African Americans’ past and how they were treated. The songs Du Bois mentioned tell us about the feelings and conditions of those who were enslaved. These songs are passed down from generations to generations, constantly reminding us the history. He also described that American music, which he means the songs created by white people, are inspired from those sorrow songs of Africans and therefore it has a deep root down to the American culture.

2. In my opinion, out of all the songs featured in this chapter “You may bury me in the east” is the most significant because I can clearly see their desire for freedom as they are waiting to hear the sound of trumpet which is most likely representing the glory. The song also mentions “wings and fly away” which probably means that the condition they are in right now is so awful that they start to desire death in order to gain true freedom. This song clearly states in the lyrics  the African Americans’ suffering and their desire.