Spirituals, traditionally called "Negro Spirituals" and occasionally in the U.S., "African-American Spirituals," were the traditional religious folk songs of the slaves. They were recreated as choral concert pieces around the turn of the century by the Fisk Singers, and have become firmly established in both hymnals and the concert repertoire.
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- Negro Spirituals and Gospel Music (Historical overview, with a few sample lyrics).
- Negro Spirituals Eyewitness account of lyrics and performance, from an article in the 1867 Atlantic Monthly.
- Slave Songs of the United States. E-text including introduction, lyrics, and annotated music collected by William Francis Allen, 1830-1889, Charles Pickard Ware, 1840-1921, and Lucy McKim Garrison 1842-1877.
- The Negro Spiritual Quarterly containing education, history, and news related to Negro Spirituals: subscription information, news, and reviews.
- Church and Camp Meeting Hymns Includes lyrics and WAV files for ~10 spirituals quoted in "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
- Glimpses #89: Slave Songs Article from the Christian History Institute, with song lyrics.