African American congregational singing styles are rooted in the nineteenth century but continue to be created as a vital part of community worship services throughout the United States. This recording of ring shouts, lined hymns, and call-and-response devotional songs honors these beginnings and demonstrates how vividly these styles endure.

A local perspective of sacred music from two regions: Alabama and Washington, D.C. Singers include The Gospel Harmonettes: Jesus Is on the Mainline; Donald Vails and the Celebration Delegation: Lead Me, Guide Me; and The Bible Way Temple Radio Choir: Yes, Lord.

This recording is the music originally performed by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. You no doubt have heard the term jubilee singing referring to quartet music coming out of the south in the thirties and forties. It all started on the day of Jubilee, the day the slaves were freed. Striving for education had been an underground pursuit during slavery. One school established for the freed, Fisk College of Nashville, TN, opened six months after the end of the Civil War. In the struggle to save the school from economic collapse, the school's treasurer and music teacher, George L. White, took a group of his students on the road to raise funds in the North. The original repertoire was ballads, arias and a few other popular and choral songs of the day. They went on faith, seemingly doomed to failure, until one day they performed some of their special songs, 'Steal Away' and 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot.' The response was overwhelming. Ultimately the school was saved and the Fisk Jubilee Singers went on to become the first Black international singing stars. This is their music, performed by five very special choral groups.

Listen to Roll, Jordan, Roll in RealAudio.