---

This is a PermaThread™, intended to serve as a starting point to resources collected at Mudcat and elsewhere online. Feel free to post messages in this thread, but note that we reserve the right to edit or delete any messages here so that this thread will serve as a permament reference. This thread is edited by Susan Oldberg Hinton (W y s i w y G !), with Jeri's technical help as needed.

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME

PROJECT CREDITS

REGARDING PROJECT LANGUAGE USAGE

WHAT IS A SPIRITUAL?
One brief answer, according to New Harvard Dictionary of Music, Belknap Press, 1986.

RESOURCES

KEY RESOURCES AT MUDCAT ABOUT SPIRITUALS
Links to Mudcat threads discussing topical background material.

LINKS TO OFFSITE STUDY RESOURCES
An amazing array of facts, theories, early published works, and more!

THREADS FULL OF SONGS
Links to Mudcat threads with various lyrics for song groups, artists, and/or genres.

INDEX OF "SPIRITUALS" POSTED, BY TITLE
With introduction and links to alphabetical sections of the index to lyrics.

HEAR THEM ONLINE!
Links to sources for audio and video renditions~ sounds of today, and of times long gone.

ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION
These essays are the opinions of their authors, only. Discussion is welcome!

SPIRITUALS: ORIGINS
Where did the spirituals of African-Americans come from?

"ORIGINS" CONSIDERATIONS AND TITLING COMPLICATIONS
Origins issues, theological elements, and title variants.

THE 100 MOST POPULAR SPIRITUALS
That is, according to one site.

'NEGRO,' 'BLACK,' or 'AFRICAN-AMERICAN' SPIRITUALS?
Names by which spirituals have been called.

SPIRITUALS: PERFORMANCE
It is the performance that shapes the song...

JUST STUFF

Q & A ABOUT THIS PERMATHREAD
Conversation about the Spirituals Permathread.

JUST THE FAQs (NEWCOMER'S GUIDE)
Mudcat's frequently asked questions-- answered!

SITE MAP & INDEX TO OTHER PERMATHREADS
An incredible wealth of volunteer-maintained resources.

FREE MUDCAT MEMBERSHIP
Registration is not required, but it is requested, and there is NO spam.