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submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by cosmicrookie@lemmy.world to c/mildlyinteresting@lemmy.world
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[-] Squizzy@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

What is the significance of the singing?

[-] ZeffSyde@lemmy.world 18 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

If this is an honest question: slaves in the US would sing songs as they toiled to help them cope with their hardship. From the slaveowners view the songs often seemed silly or full of hope, while the lyrics actually contained veiled instructions about insurrection or escape.

[-] Earflap@reddthat.com 6 points 4 days ago

"Swing low sweet chariot" basically means "for the love of all that is holy please please let today be the day I finally die and end this"

[-] Stamau123@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

it helped keep the tempo of work and make time pass faster

[-] Shapillon@lemmy.world -1 points 4 days ago

I think it's a slavery reference.

this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2024
418 points (95.0% liked)

Mildly Interesting

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