Negro spirituals are the perfect soundtrack for our times. They, unlike the hymns written by white xians, had lyrics born out of deep suffering. To sing as they did was to put their pain into song while reminding each other of a man named Jesus who would soon take them home.

Nobody knows the trouble I've been through
Nobody knows my sorrow
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
Glory hallelujah!
Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down
Oh, yes, Lord
Sometimes I'm almost to the ground

- Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve seen (1867)

Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus!
Steal away, steal away home;
I ain't got long to stay here.
My Lord, he calls me; he calls me by the thunder.
The trumpet sounds within my soul;
I ain't got long to stay here.

- Steal Away Jesus (1862)

When Israel was in Egypt's land
Let my people go
Oppress'd so hard they could not stand
Let my people go
Go down, Moses
Way down in Egypt's land
Tell old Pharaoh
Let my people go

- Go Down Moses (1850*)