first edition Softcover
[1907] · Nashville
by Work, Frederick J, ed; John W. Work,Jr., Intro.
Nashville. [1907]. First Printing. Softcover. Wraps, good only, missing front and rear cover, spine tears, fragile. Scarce early compliation of the Work brothers gospel and spiritual songs. Includes 92 songs and music. ( 22 1/2 cm x 15 cm) John W Work felt the spirituals and slave songs needed to be preserved and even more, needed to be appreciated by a wider audience. This music was controversial at that time as many former slaves had strong opinions and emotions about it's close connection to their enslavement. Work reformed the Fisk Jubilee Singers, that had been disbanded 20 years earlier, while studing at Fisk and toured with them to promote (truncated)