According to Du Bois the “Sorrow songs” are of great significance to African American culture as they were the rhythmic cry of the slave and “still remains as the singular spiritual heritage of the nation and the greatest gift of the negro people”.  Each song tells its own story and has its own meaning.  Music was a way to manage with the incredibly difficult times and position these people were put in.

The song that I find most significant is “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen by Mahalia Jackson.  This song really speaks to me even though we would never be able understand the situation these people were in and the extreme poverty.  They were promised federal aid after they were free and this woman is singing this song after learning the news the government will not be fulfilling there promise on delivering aid.