spirituals

¹

1. A kind of religious song originated by African-Americans. Spirituals are often written with freer rhythms and harmonies than most standard hymns. Many of them go back to the days of slavery, and they often speak of biblical models of deliverance, such as the Exodus . Several spirituals have become standard pieces of music for concert singers and choruses. “Gonna Lay Down My Burden,” “ Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho ,” “ Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen ,” “ Swing Low, Sweet Chariot ,” and “ When the Saints Go Marching In ” are spirituals.

spirituals

²

1. Religious songs of African-Americans, often written with freer rhythms and harmonies than most standard hymns. Spirituals, many of which go back to the days of slavery, often speak of biblical models of deliverance, like the Exodus . Some well-known spirituals are “Gonna Lay Down My Burden,” “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho,” “Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Example Sentences

Both he and River sang spirituals on the street trying to raise money for their family.

From The Daily Beast

My spirituals from God and the Pope, my temporals from the King.

From Project Gutenberg

In spirituals and in temporals, 'the hand of the diligent maketh rich.'

From Project Gutenberg

His appointment was made evidently more in view of temporals than spirituals, and he acted accordingly.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1275 the spirituals, who clung to the original ideals and rules of Francis, were treated as heretics and persecuted.

From Project Gutenberg

Col. Higginson has compared the Negro spirituals to the Scotch ballads and to the folk songs of other races.

From Project Gutenberg