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Slavery and the Making of AmericaPhoto of African-American children reading
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
Music in Slave Life Education, Arts, & Culture
Work Songs return to introduction
Quittin' Time Song 2


Ooooh, the sun going down,
And I won't be here long,
Ooooh, the sun going down,
And I won't be here long.
Ooooh, then I be going home.
Ooooh, I can't let this dark cloud catch
   me here.
Ooooh, I can't stay here long,
Ooooh, I be at home.
Featured Instrument
photo of an African-American man singing 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.
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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.