As we take time to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, let us also be thankful for the many blessings we have received. One of those blessings is music! We have been noting great African American female entertainers. There are many, many wonderful black singers. I tried to research the topic of black composers hoping to find a Christmas carol written by a black woman. I could not find one, but I did find some black male composers of Christmas carols. There are not very many Christmas carols written by African Americans. There are many, many more Spirituals, but here are some favorite Christmas carols[1]:
One Christmas carol that I am sure almost everyone is familiar with is “Mary’s Boychild”. The composer was Jester Hairston, and the most famous version is sung by Harry Belafonte. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N8aNhbnP-Y
This site is about Black Women in America, but we will digress just this one time to give esteem to a very remarkable man – Jester Hairston. Jester was a humble, devout Christian. He starred in many films and television. We have talked on this site already about how early black entertainers were allowed only to perform in servant roles. Jester was no exception, but he was happy to do what he could to open up opportunities for others. Here is a quote from an article that I hope you will go to and read that shows his humble, courageous spirit:
Hairston composed more than 300 spirituals and acted in countless films and television shows. He wrote the arrangement to “Amen,” in “Lilies of the Field.” He played Henry van Porter in the Amos and Andy TV show in the early 1950’s, and continued acting into his 90’s, playing Rolly Forbes in “Amen.” He made no apologies for appearing in Amos and Andy, or other stereotypical black roles, saying that was the acting only work he could get, and he opened the way for others. In fact, he spent a lifetime opening doors for others in Hollywood and elsewhere.[2]
Jester said that his song, “Amen” is the story of Jesus including Christmas morning. You can find it on Youtube. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJyh27LsFWs) – BE BLESSED!
Jester Hairston’s greatest work was in choral arranging. Jester traveled throughout the United States conducting high school choirs. He traveled around the world as a US cultural ambassador. Many of the arrangements were his own versions. The author of the article quoted said,
When he came to my city, Pittsburgh, he visited his boyhood home across the High-LevelBridge in Homestead. He conducted the All-City Choir, made up of members of various high school choirs tapped for this special honor. And we sang his arrangement of the spiritual “I Can Tell the World.”
For years thereafter, our high school choir included his version in our repertoire, and Miss Howard would remind us how HE wanted us to staccato here or pianissimo there.
There’s not enough happiness is this world, and Hairston surely saw enough heartbreak in his life. But he was as kind, cheerful, and optimistic as any person I have ever met. If you google him or check out youtube, you will see videos of him rehearsing with a choral group, and you will see what it was like to be in his presence. And, as you search, note from the comments that there are still many of us who — maybe forty or fifty years ago — remember how this wonderful man touched our young lives.
I thank God for blessing us with Jester and his music.
I hope you have a Merrier Christmas!!
Kwanzaa
You see and hear much about Kwanzaa at this time of the year. I always thought that Kwanzaa was a special African American celebration of Christmas. Actually it is a celebration of Black Heritage and so it is very appropriate to include it in this year-end post.
My series on Black Women in America aims to demonstrate how black women have contributed to American culture. It is only a small part of Black History. Kwanzaa was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga to help African Americans discover and appreciate their heritage and their past.
Many people celebrate Kwanzaa which starts the day after Christmas and ends January 1. It is not supposed to be a religious holiday, but a celebration of culture, family, and community. Kwanzaa is a Swahili word that translates to “first fruits of harvest”. it is modeled after traditional African harvest festivals. The celebration is rooted in a set of principles known as Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles). Day 1, Umoja, represents unity; Day 2, Kujichagulia, focuses on self-determination; Day 3, Ujima, highlights collective work and responsibility; Day 4, Ujamaa, focuses on cooperative economics; Day 5, Nia, stresses purpose; Day 6, Kuumba, is for creativity; and Day 7, Imani, focuses on faith.[3]
Kwanzaa is more than just a holiday: it is a recognition that black history is important.
There are so many ways to show our thanks at this time. We are so thankful to God for sending HIs Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The best way to prove how thankful we are is to share with others.
“Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier. I will not allow my life’s light to be determined by the darkness around me.”
Merry Christmas 2022! and Happy Kwanzaa
Merry Christmas 2022
As we take time to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, let us also be thankful for the many blessings we have received. One of those blessings is music! We have been noting great African American female entertainers. There are many, many wonderful black singers. I tried to research the topic of black composers hoping to find a Christmas carol written by a black woman. I could not find one, but I did find some black male composers of Christmas carols. There are not very many Christmas carols written by African Americans. There are many, many more Spirituals, but here are some favorite Christmas carols[1]:
Go Tell It On the Mountain (Mahalia Jackson’s performance is my favorite!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMJ2UriVc40
Others include:
Children Go Where I Send Thee
Rise up Shepherd and Follow
Sweet, Little Jesus Boy
Here is one of my favorites. I challenge you to keep your feet still as you listen!
“Last Month of the Year “– (The Blind Boys of Alabama performance)
One Christmas carol that I am sure almost everyone is familiar with is “Mary’s Boychild”. The composer was Jester Hairston, and the most famous version is sung by Harry Belafonte. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N8aNhbnP-Y
This site is about Black Women in America, but we will digress just this one time to give esteem to a very remarkable man – Jester Hairston. Jester was a humble, devout Christian. He starred in many films and television. We have talked on this site already about how early black entertainers were allowed only to perform in servant roles. Jester was no exception, but he was happy to do what he could to open up opportunities for others. Here is a quote from an article that I hope you will go to and read that shows his humble, courageous spirit:
Hairston composed more than 300 spirituals and acted in countless films and television shows. He wrote the arrangement to “Amen,” in “Lilies of the Field.” He played Henry van Porter in the Amos and Andy TV show in the early 1950’s, and continued acting into his 90’s, playing Rolly Forbes in “Amen.” He made no apologies for appearing in Amos and Andy, or other stereotypical black roles, saying that was the acting only work he could get, and he opened the way for others. In fact, he spent a lifetime opening doors for others in Hollywood and elsewhere.[2]
Jester said that his song, “Amen” is the story of Jesus including Christmas morning. You can find it on Youtube. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJyh27LsFWs) – BE BLESSED!
Jester Hairston’s greatest work was in choral arranging. Jester traveled throughout the United States conducting high school choirs. He traveled around the world as a US cultural ambassador. Many of the arrangements were his own versions. The author of the article quoted said,
When he came to my city, Pittsburgh, he visited his boyhood home across the High-Level Bridge in Homestead. He conducted the All-City Choir, made up of members of various high school choirs tapped for this special honor. And we sang his arrangement of the spiritual “I Can Tell the World.”
For years thereafter, our high school choir included his version in our repertoire, and Miss Howard would remind us how HE wanted us to staccato here or pianissimo there.
There’s not enough happiness is this world, and Hairston surely saw enough heartbreak in his life. But he was as kind, cheerful, and optimistic as any person I have ever met. If you google him or check out youtube, you will see videos of him rehearsing with a choral group, and you will see what it was like to be in his presence. And, as you search, note from the comments that there are still many of us who — maybe forty or fifty years ago — remember how this wonderful man touched our young lives.
I thank God for blessing us with Jester and his music.
I hope you have a Merrier Christmas!!
Kwanzaa
You see and hear much about Kwanzaa at this time of the year. I always thought that Kwanzaa was a special African American celebration of Christmas. Actually it is a celebration of Black Heritage and so it is very appropriate to include it in this year-end post.
My series on Black Women in America aims to demonstrate how black women have contributed to American culture. It is only a small part of Black History. Kwanzaa was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga to help African Americans discover and appreciate their heritage and their past.
Many people celebrate Kwanzaa which starts the day after Christmas and ends January 1. It is not supposed to be a religious holiday, but a celebration of culture, family, and community. Kwanzaa is a Swahili word that translates to “first fruits of harvest”. it is modeled after traditional African harvest festivals. The celebration is rooted in a set of principles known as Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles). Day 1, Umoja, represents unity; Day 2, Kujichagulia, focuses on self-determination; Day 3, Ujima, highlights collective work and responsibility; Day 4, Ujamaa, focuses on cooperative economics; Day 5, Nia, stresses purpose; Day 6, Kuumba, is for creativity; and Day 7, Imani, focuses on faith.[3]
Kwanzaa is more than just a holiday: it is a recognition that black history is important.
There are so many ways to show our thanks at this time. We are so thankful to God for sending HIs Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The best way to prove how thankful we are is to share with others.
Have a blessed Christmas!
[1]https://www.familychristmasonline.com/music/african_american_carols/african_american_carols.htm
[2] https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/12/25/1614423/-My-favorite-Christmas-song-and-the-African-American-composer-who-wrote-it
[3] You can get more details from “Kwanzaa Is Not ‘Black Christmas’—Here’s What It Actually Is (And How We Celebrate)” Elisha Beach
From – https://www.scarymommy.com/talk-kids-kwanzaa
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“Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier. I will not allow my life’s light to be determined by the darkness around me.”
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