The Society for the Preservation of Spirituals
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Gullah Spirituals 

Since 1922, the Society for the Preservation of Spirituals (or Spiritual Society) has been collecting, performing and preserving these profound expressions of Christian faith:  Gullah poetry set to beautiful melodies accompanied by hands and feet.  

A prime example is Silbuh Spade, (which was recorded in 1960 and is playing now in the background. In order to hear it, you might need to allow a Media Player add on.)

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Silbuh Trumpet

Han' me down, han' me down,

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Gay-brul

Han' ‘um down, t’row ‘um down,
Any way tuh git’um down

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Lawd.

 

Well duh Talles' tree een Paradise

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Gay-brul,

Oh duh Christian call’um duh tree ob life

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Lawd.  

 

Nebbuh bin tuh He(b)’m, but uh has bin tol',

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Gay-brul,

Oh de street am silbuh en’ duh gate am gol'

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Lawd.

            

Nebbuh seen sech uh ting since I bin born

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Gay-brul,

Duh people keep a’comin n duh train done gone

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Lawd.

 

Mary, Maata, Luke ‘n Jawn

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Gay-brul,

Oh Stawp duh train ‘N lemme get on

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Lawd.

       

Ef you git deh befo' I do

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Gay-brul,

Jes' tell Maas' Jedus I’se a’comin' too

Han' me down muh silbuh trumpit, Lawd.

Collecting and performing Gullah Spirituals since 1922.