The Power In Singing Hymns
Singing a hymn makes you feel good in the soul. Hymns hold the range of Black ancestral joy, grief, and resistance. They can uplift you and ground you. Hymns remind us of the love in our hearts and freedom in our spirits. Which hymn brings you joy?
Have you ever taken the time to look at a Black hymnal? Or to listen deeply to the words of gospel hymns? We could reference thousands of hymns, but these three hold a special place at the heart of Black liberation.
Hymn 1: Precious Lord
Father of gospel music, Thomas Dorsey composed thousands gospel hymns during his career. But “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” tells us how to keep faith after hitting rock bottom. Dorsey wrote the beloved hymn in 1932 after losing his wife and newborn son in childbirth.
In times of tremendous grief, what helps you keep the faith?
Hymn 2: Oh Happy Day
Besides being an iconic moment in Sister Act 2, “Oh Happy Day” was a Civil Rights joy anthem. During unrest, the hymn reminded our people about the joy and love that’s always been at the root of our protest.
What brings your spirit joy? Your joy is your protest.
Hymn 3: I’ll Fly Away
Taking flight was a metaphor for our enslaved ancestors wishing to run for freedom. Flight also paid homage to African folklore about enslaved communities that escaped bondage and flew home, carried by the wind, to Africa.
It’s ok to occasionally fly solo, but like birds, Black liberation means we fly together.
Hymns are sacred tools for reflecting on the relationship between faith and Black liberation and our roles within it.
These are the hymns our ancestors sang. Which hymns will you sing for future generations?
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