Those of you who have been reading my essays over the years, know that spirituality is not a function, major or minor, in my life. But music that celebrates spirituality is something that I treasure. I treasure it for the music, not for the spirituality.
I am fully aware that some people, perhaps most people, are inspired by the music’s spirituality. But in this case, my inspiration comes from the music alone.
Over the centuries, sacred music has been written by composers of the first rank, Bach, Beethoven, etc. I enjoy that music but in the final analysis, it may be a bit too fancy for me. In my case, I’ve always had a affection toward what are now called spirituals. Those spirituals used to be called “Negro spirituals.” One of the commentators dubbed them “Afro-American spirituals;” the cadence just did not ring true. On other occasions they referred to them as “black or colored” spirituals. But in this essay, I am going to revert to the term Negro spirituals, which is much more authentic in my estimation.
This morning, out of the blue, came thoughts about a Negro spiritual that I have not heard for maybe 50 years. The spiritual is named “And He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word.” It is a sad spiritual in that it refers to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Negro spiritual music often is celebratory. In this case, the spiritual is, I suppose, about the manliness and bravery of Jesus as he was about to be crucified.
The lyrics to this sad spiritual refer to “Herod’s bar” meaning the bar of Roman justice. Herod was the Roman ruler of Palestine at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus. I understand that Herod was born a Jew. This song is best sung by a male choir without accompaniment, that is to say, a cappella. Since I have thought of this spiritual this morning, it will not leave my brain. Miss Chicka’s computer was able to locate the lyrics to “And He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word.” As far as I know, no one has claimed authorship to the music or the lyrics.
Without further ado, I would like to acquaint you with this old spiritual. I wish that you could hear it sung by an unaccompanied male choir such as the Morehouse College Choir. But if anyone is interested in hearing the music and has a computer, it is available by title from www.amazon.com or just Google the title, “He Never Said A Mumblin Word.” There are six verses. Here are the lyrics:
FIRST VERSE:
They led Him to Pilate’s bar
Not a word, not a word, not a word, not a word
They led Him to Pilate’s bar
Not a word, not a word, not a word, not a word
They led Him to Pilate’s bar
But He never said a mumblin’ word
Not a word, not a word, not a word, not a word
VERSE TWO:
They all cried, “Crucify Him”…
Not a word, not a word, not a word, not a word
They all cried, “Crucify Him”…
Not a word, not a word, not a word, not a word
They all cried, “Crucify Him”…
But He never said a mumblin’ word
Not a word, not a word, not a word, not a word
SUCEEDING VERSES CHANGE AS FOLLOWS:
3. They nailed Him to the tree…
4. They pierced Him in the side…
5. He hung His head and died…
6. Wasn’t that a pity and a shame…
Each of the foregoing verses ends with the line, “He never said a mumblin’ word.”
As I have said on many occasions previously, the music of Negro spirituals is repetitious but inspiring to me. If you have a computer and you go to “Negro spirituals.com,” you can also obtain the lyrics.
I certainly realize that not everybody in the world shares my taste in music. Negro spirituals stem largely from slavery that white people imposed upon the Negro race. They sing of their despair and their hopelessness.
In any case, I hope that your musical horizons have been enhanced by my telling you about “And He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word.” But I warn you that when you listen to this music, you will find yourself humming it for days on end. And if you hum this music, you will find a kindred soul in the proprietor of Ezra’s Essays. Perhaps the time will come when we will be able to hum it together.
E. E. CARR
January 16, 2011
Essay 541
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Kevin’s commentary: A capella music is something I have generally avoided since graduating from college, where it was inescapable. This version of the song has minor accompaniment and sounds a whole lot like something Sufjan Stevens would write.