Oh dear. I have heard similar things in the past -- about Michael Row the
Boat Ashore specifically. I have a sense, at least in my opinion and my
knowledge of the underground railroad quilt lore and lawn jockeys, that it
is not true.
Candace Perry

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Cindy Boyer
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 1:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] coded messages in spirituals?

I received a teacher study guide from the local oratorio society on the
Harriet Tubman cantata they will be performing later this year.  There is a
lesson plan about coded messages in spirituals sung by enslaved people.

My first reaction was to wonder if this was similar to the erroneous reports
of coded messages in quilts, hung to help people involved with the
Underground Railroad.  In doing some basic on line searches, I found quite a
few references to coded spirituals, from some pretty reputable sources.  

One attributed a quote to Frederick Douglass that I would not see as a
"coded" message but more the double meaning of some spirituals.  He refers
to songs like "Bound for Canaan" as - some may see the song as longing for
our heavenly home, but our people see in it longing for the North and
freedom.

Some of the references to coded spirituals said there were "message"
spirituals and "map" spirituals - message sending some information around
the groups, map giving specific directions.  

And - one of the reputable resources also gave a link to the false
information on the "coded quilts."

So now I don't know what to think.  

Can anyone shed some additional light on this topic?

Cindy Boyer
Director of Public Programs
The Landmark Society of Western New York
133 S. Fitzhugh St.
Rochester NY  14608
(585) 546-7029 ext. 12
[log in to unmask]
Fax:  (585) 546-4788
 


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