Negro Workaday Songs

Published in 1926, 'Negro Workaday Songs' by Howard Washington Odum is a sociological study and collection of folk songs from African American workers in the Southern United States. The book documents the authentic experiences and struggles of these workers through their music, emphasizing the social significance of their songs. Odum's work is notable for its focus on the context and emotional journeys reflected in these songs, which range from prison anthems to lamentation ballads, offering a deeper understanding of the black community's labor challenges and cultural expressions during a transformative era in American history.