8.5" x 11" inches. Text: Langston Hughes.
Spirituals is about strength. It opens with ascending patterns representing "the rising shafts of mountains" "something strong to put my hands on." The focus then shifts to the strength of song in times of trouble: "I heard my mother singing when life hurt her: Gonna ride in my chariot someday!" The music then rises to the affirmation: "Sing, O black mother! Song is a strong thing." c. 3:45.
