Religious Folk-Songs of the Southern Negroes

Religious Folk-Songs of the Southern Negroes, published in 1909 by Howard Washington Odum, is a scholarly examination of the cultural and spiritual expressions found in the folk-songs of the Southern Black community. Odum analyzes these religious spirituals as vital contributions to understanding the identity and emotional landscape of the Southern Negro, emphasizing their role in reflecting social and historical experiences. The work highlights the significance of folk-songs in revealing the essence of a race's character and explores themes such as race relations and the evolving nature of these musical expressions.