According to Du Bois, the significance of what he calls the “sorrow songs” to African culture and history is that they represent the pain, suffering, struggle, hope, and urge to be freed. The sorrow songs each tell a story based on the American slaves from all those years ago. To them, it holds a symbolic meaning because they would sing along to them while in slavery for the world to hear in hopes of being freed one day. They did not sing it because they were happy, but more so in order to give them hope and faith that one day they will be freed and be at peace. The songs represent the American people mourning those they have lost during these dark times as well. Itis the root of the American past and it reminds us of all the suffering and pain they had to endure during slavery. These songs have been passed down generation from to generation in order to remind us of all the things they had to go through.

Out of all the sorrow songs, the most significant one would be “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen” by Louis Armstrong because even though he does not say much in the song, you can feel the pain and things that he has gone through with his voice. The lyrics represent all the harsh things he had to endure and see during this time. All the suffering and pain the African people went through and the melody adds on to that effect.

1. The significance of the “sorrow songs” to African American culture and history would be the struggle that they had to go through for hundreds of years. Today we have musicians who create music in order to express their experiences and situations they encounter in their everyday life. The same case can be made with sorrow songs. The songs were originally created for African slaves to express their deep sadness and turmoil. These songs represent the pain and suffering they had to endure for generations. The songs were also used for mourning family and friends that had their lives taken. Although these songs symbolized a dark and depressing state of mind, they also had the potential to be used for worship. There are songs that the slaves would use to praise God and ask for blessings. They would not only ask for blessings in these songs, but they would ask to be released from the agonizing life they lived so they may be at peace. These are the reasons that made the sorrow songs so significant to the African American culture.

2. The most significant song in my opinion would be “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” by Louis Armstrong because it expresses so much with saying so little. This song in my opinion tells the audience that they cannot even begin to imagine what African Americans in the United States have been through. Whether its abuse or torture or death, nobody truly knows the trouble that has been seen by African Americans for hundreds of years but God himself.

Sorrow songs also known as Negro Folk songs carry magnificent stories of black people. Every song has a message that explains to us how to black people lived, what kind of challenges they had faced throughout history. They added their happiness, sadness and tears into their music. Therefore, these songs had a great impact on American people in 1830’s. However, unfortunately, these beautiful songs were half forgotten. Consequently, of black people’s social status, their uncouth appearances and their slang language gave them a bad reputation and made their songs unlikable. George L. White helped jubilee songs to stay alive and pass into other’s souls. People listened to their songs with bias until Fisk Jubilee singers sang the slave songs into the world’s heart. Seven years of singing across the world, they brought fame and recognition to their music. Now, there is a hope that these beautiful historic songs will last forever and keep passing onto new generations. 

1. According to Du Bois, what is the significance of what he calls the “sorrow songs” to African-American history and culture?

Sorrow songs were passed down from generation to generation. Some sang them, and maybe didn’t really know the true meaning but yet some did. These “Sorrow Songs” were sung by slaves seeking freedom and freedom for their souls. The songs all had a meaningful purpose. These songs got recognize worldwide, and yet people still hear. These sorrow songs haunted Du Bois because he knew slaves were suffering and wanting freedom. These songs are meaningful since they are from their people that had been threw the worst. These songs unite them one way or another and stay together.

1. All the songs are significant, but in my opinion, the piece that stands out for me is “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen” I think these make me sit down and think how many suffer and were slaves and how much things they had to go threw for their freedom when nobody should have past threw ever. In the song, it says only, “Jesus know what I’ve been through,” and it’s right. Nobody knows what you are going through even if they see, but don’t know what inside of you is going through. I think all the songs hit different, but they all have a meaning of what others went through that nobody should go through.

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.

According to Du Bois, what is the significance of what he calls the “sorrow songs” to African-American history and culture? 

Sorrow songs made African Americans closer to each other. everything that would happen to them they would sing for the world to hear. They would sing all the times they were down and I hope that one day they will get freedom and everything will change. This goes deep in their culture because people would think it was ok for African Americans to be treated unfairly. They would teach the children the song and the Children would pass it onto their kids so that people don’t forget their story and what they have been through. They sing their hearts out so they wouldn’t be forgotten and so that the generations to come won’t forget their story. Also, it is a sign of hope that one day African Americans would be free. Not judging by the color of their skin. They can unite to make a change and not let future generations go through the same thing. Sarros’ song doesn’t only give me the sad times, it also represents hope and a new light for African American and brings unity.

Which of the songs featured in this chapter us the most significant, in your opinion, and why? (Check out the Spotify playlist if you are not familiar with them.) 

You may bury me in the east by The Fisk Jubilee Singers  is more significant to me because it shows how spiritually they were and how much grit they have and they sing how they are not afraid to die and believe that their spirit is gonna be fine in heaven and with angels.

According to DuBios , the significant  ” sorrow song”  it expressed  about black people’ deep pain expression in their soul , peculiar situation, real poverty, huge discrimination, during slavery was in the  African and American  history and culture. it also reflects the those people unseen power, hope, freedom, equality. In the article, the writer says that black people expressed their feeling by music in the world. They want to transfer the those melodied song generation to generation. they want to let information to new generation because they wanted freedom and equality between all human beings. they also want to motivate to next generation for own right and freedom. consequently, African and American are treated by equally.

In my opinion, the most significant song in this chapter is “you may bury in the east ” . because this song try to explain that they don’t have any fear about their death. they never scared about their death. They can ready to take any pain or punishments , they are for it. they are not afraid of it.  it is their strong power,  believe to the god.

According to Du Bois, what is the significance of what he calls the “sorrow songs” to African-American history and culture?  

The Monumental importance of the “Sorrow songs” according to Du Bois is that these songs were the form that slaves expressed their deepest despairs and misfortunes. They sang because it also thrilled their spirits, singing carelessly brought  them so much joy within. Although this was the music of unhappy people. This was also the great gift that fulfilled the sorrow in their hearts. The most beautiful expression of their experiences were the “sorrow songs” that Africans passed down from generation to generation. They sang with their heart and souls making this a beautiful spiritual heritage a landmark in African American history.   

Which of the songs featured in this chapter is the most significant, in your opinion, and why? 

In my opinion the song that was most significant would be the song “My lord what a morning”  This song is very spiritual and you can noticeably hear and feel the sorrow in the voice of the singer. Keeping their faith in the lord gave them a sense of hope. Having hope is the most significant thing you can do and hope is what keeps you going. Not having their freedom is what caused them so much pain and sadness. So to me this song truly expresses that feeling and desire to have better circumstances and just be freed.