Work song
Categories: Cleanup from August 2005 | Songs | Music genre stubs
A work song is a typically an a capella rhythmic song sung by people working on a physical and often repetitive task. The work song is probably intended to reduce feelings of boredom and to increase feelings of euphoria. Rhythms of work songs also serve to synchronize physical movement in a gang. Frequently the verses of work songs were improvised and sung differently each time. The improvisation provided the singers with a sometimes subversive form of expression: improvised verses sung by slaves had verses about escaping, improvised verses sung by sailors had verses complaining about the captain and the work conditions. Work songs also helped create a feeling of familiarity and connection between the workers.
The origin of many American work songs comes from African slaves.
See also
Samples
- Download recording of “Dollar Mamie”, a work song for hoeing from the Library of Congress' John and Ruby Lomax 1939 Southern States Recording Trip; performed by Judge "Bootmouth" Tucker and Alexander "Neighborhood" Williams on May 23, 1939 at a State Penitentiary in Parchman, Mississippi