For the purposes of this assignment, Mahalia Jackson’s song “we shall overcome,” will be explored. Music has been used to entertain and provide solace for people that are going through difficult situations. In this paper, the detriment and struggle of the people during the United States civil movement are explored, and how African Americans found solace in gospel music is discussed in depth. Notably, the song “we shall overcome” is a protestant song that was contextually used as an anthem and an expression of hope during the civil rights movement.
Mahalia Jackson was a renowned gospel singer who gained considerable fame as was termed “the Queen of Gospel” because of her contralto voice. Jackson not only ventured on music, but she also used her fame to champion for the agenda of the civil rights movement, gain equality for people of African descent. Her contribution outside the music world catapulted her to the political and sociological spheres, where she was termed as the single most powerful and influential black woman in the United States. Jackson posited that she liked singing gospel music because it helped her feel free. To be precise, having been born into a racially divided United States in 1911, and more so as a woman in the United States at a time when the idea of gender equality was not entertained, Jackson asserts that by singing for God, she feels free and liberated.
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Mahalia’s music career started when she went to Chicago as a teen to study nursing. While in Chicago, she joined the Baptist church and became an active choir member, with who she sang with for many years before joining Thomas A. Dorsey. Dorsey’s influence and broad audience bases were instrumental in catapulting Jackson to the American gospel music limelight. Although Mahalia Jackson has grown into a well-known gospel singer by the dawn of the 1930s, her music career reaches an all-time high in 1947 when she releases the song “Move On Up a Little Higher.” Even though Jackson died in 1972, her music is still inspirational and widely embraced today.
Jackson’s song “We Shall Overcome,” means that even though one might be struggling with his or her current state, brighter day loom ahead. In the context of the civil rights movement, the song denoted that despite the vilification of the proponents of racial equality and the extra-judicial persecutions that most civil rights activists faced, brighter days were ahead.
The song is characterized by the use of pentatonic intervals and the presence of ample spaces exclusively availed for the purpose of allowing spontaneous interpolation. Furthermore, the piece also has a short refrain that would allow the audience to join. The song contributed to music by demonstrating how African folk can be used in the United States context. Furthermore, the wide adaptation of the song denotes that Jackson’s lyricism rendered the song a worship song as well as a motivational piece. It is worth noting that the song was released in 1956, at the heat of the American civil rights movement.
The piece hugely borrows from African folk music, but the genre of the music is gospel. The song could be used in both religious and non-religious contexts to reassure people that brighter days are yet to come.
When I listened to the song, I was moved, and I felt like my burdens have been lifted. From the smooth and soothing sound of Mahalia Jackson to the inspiring lyrics, every musical element seemed to be in perfect synchrony. I enjoyed the song, and I am sure I will listen to it, even more, just to remind myself that difficult times do not last forever.
