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I Hear America Singing

I Hear America Singing - Spirituals

By Ross Burns
Published February 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM CST

In honor of Black History Month, we pull a show from the archives on Black Spirituals. Robert Darden joins Ross Burns in tracing their origins and their influence on our music today.

The show highlights breakthrough performers including The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Paul Robeson, Lawrence Brown, Marian Anderson, Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter and more.

I HEAR AMERICA SINGING - SPIRITUALS PLAYLIST

1. Shout All Over God’s Heaven by Fisk Jubilee Singers
2. Deep River by Marion Anderson
3. Go Tell It on the Mountain by Odetta
4. I’ve Got a Home in That Rock by The Weavers
5. Good News by The Kingston Trio
6. Virgin Mary by Bob Gibson and Joan Baez
7. Go Down Moses by Harmonizing Four
8. They Led My Lord Away by Marion Williams
9. Swing Low Sweet Chariot by Suzy Boggus
10. Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning by John Woods
11. Sweet Little Jesus Boy by The Staple Singers
12. Old Ship of Zion by Mighty Wonders
13. I Will Be So Glad When I Get Home by Leadbelly and Martha Ledbetter
14. Every Time I Feel the Spirit by Josh White

I Hear America Singing
Ross Burns
A native of Austin, Texas, Ross grew up in the midst of the Urban Folk Revival of the 1950s and 60s. His first introduction to folk music was the Kingston Trio with their million selling albums. From there, he went forward, backwards and sideways collecting music all along the way. He is a retired librarian and a student of history.
See stories by Ross Burns