The Use of Spirituals for Slaves

 In the 1800's when slaves were still prevalent, slaves used to sing songs for a few reasons: 

- To keep their spirits up

- To give them hope

- For churches and funerals, weddings if they were allowed

- ...and to relay secret messages to help them escape.

Several of these songs were used to send secret messages to help them escape, like 'Wade in the Water'. Wade in the Water was a song that relayed a secret message for the slaves to escape by swimming through the rivers and oceans. They escaped using several routes to get away from the states, to get to other parts of the country or just leave the country altogether.

The most well-known savior of slaves during the 1800's was Harriet Tubman, an ex-slave who escaped and now has her own network of escape routes. She sent her spies in as slaves and had them escort the slaves into safehouses and hiding spots along the routes. 

The slavery of black people continued until sometime in the 1960's when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in his hotel room, and the slavery of black people was abolished. Some people still never accepted it, but they now have rights. They now do as they please, as long as they followed the law. These songs became known as the messages of hope, and an inspiration for their freedom.  

Here's a map of the slave trades and the Underground Railroad. There's an extra: https://www.google.co.nz/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1e7C1IVggflexwtq-5ibvWLI402qkQOFJ&usp=sharing