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Slavery and the Making of America
Time and Place Slave Memories Resources The Slave Experience

The Slave Experience: Education, Arts, & Culture
Intro Historical Overview Character Spotlight Music in Slave Life Personal Narratives Original Docs
The Sounds of Slavery Education, Arts, & Culture
Recreational Songs return to introduction
Shortenin' Bread


CHORUS
I do love
Shortenin' bread,
I do love
Shortenin' bread,
Mama love
Shortenin' bread,
Papa love
Shortenin' bread,
Everybody love
Shortenin' bread,

1.
Two little babies layin in the bed,
One play sick an' the other play dead.
I do love
Shortenin' bread,
I do love
Shortenin' bread.

2.
Ever' since my dog been dead,
Hog's been rootin' my tater bed.

CHORUS

3.
Old Aunt Dinah sick in the bed,
Sent for the Doctor, Doctor said,
"All she need's some shortenin' bread."

CHORUS
photo of an African-American woman singing Photo of hands
Featured Instruments
Voice
The chief music-making instruments for slaves were their own voices. Singing together, alone, or in call-response patterns, slaves improvised, altered, and embellished, creating sounds rich in tone and texture. 		Hands and Feet
As slaves sang and played, they used hand-clapping and foot-stamping to create rhythmic beats in the tradition of African music.
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SLAVERY AND THE MAKING OF AMERICA is a production of Thirteen/WNET New York.
© 2004 Educational Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.