Songs for Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates the end of legalized slavery in the United States. As services are planned in honor of this occasion, we are proud to offer the following songs and arrangement suggestions.
Juneteenth invites prayerful reflection on God’s liberating presence throughout history and in our own time. The songs gathered here give voice to themes of freedom, dignity, perseverance, and communal solidarity. Whether used in worship, prayer services, concerts, or personal reflection, they can help congregations honor the significance of this day and join in the ongoing song of liberation.
The suggestions below are grouped into the following categories: Spirituals, hymns & songs, and instrumental works.
Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive. For more, browse our Abbington African American Sacred Music Series and our In Spirit & Truth Series at www.giamusic.com.
"All of this is about freedom. Freedom for everybody. Not just people in Texas. Not just Black people, but all people. Freedom is what Juneteenth's about."
-Opal Lee, civil rights activist and educator
Spirituals
Oh, Freedom
Wade in the Water
According to renowned theologian Howard Thurman, the Negro Spiritual “Wade in the Water” is based upon the story of the pool of Bethesda: it was believed that if a person placed their ailing body in the water while it was troubled, then they would be healed. !urman further explains how the imagery of this New Testament story can be applied to the story of Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, a story that is revisited within this arrangement. -Emmanuelle Brunson
Great Day
Deep River
Steal Away
Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen
Arranged by Norah Duncan, IV
Hymns & Songs
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Let Freedom Ring!
This text was written to the hymn tune AMERICA in January 2018, while planning music for an upcoming worship service during the weekend nearest to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Written as a prayer for freedom, the text echoes the words in a sermon by Dr. King calling for freedom to ring until, among other things, people of every race and nation become unified in heart, mind, and soul. -W. Michael Fortson
Go Out
All of Me
This gathering song was inspired by the words of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA (1937–1990). Addressing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1989, she said:
What does it mean to be black and Catholic? It means that I come to my church fully functioning. That doesn’t frighten you, does it? I bring myself, my black self, all that I am, all that I have, all that I hope to become. I bring my whole history, my traditions, my experience, my culture, my African American song and dance and gesture and movement and teaching and preaching and healing and responsibility as gift to the church.
This Is the Day
Instrumental Works
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Total Praise
Let It Shine: Spirituals for Piano, vol. 1 & 2
Toccata on Lift Every Voice and Sing
