12 Years a Slave Sound-trackLESSON OBJECTIVE: TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE SOUNDTRACK ON THE SUBJECT MATTER OF 12 YEARS A SLAVE

12 Years a Slave is a stunningly powerful film. I was so moved when I saw it.

I felt every minute of it and was so inspired to contribute to the music of the soundtrack.

album brings together some incredible artists from different places and different genres

who have all been touched by the film. When artists are inspired by great art, it makes us

want to create.

This album is the result of that inspiration.

—John Legend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEGOBUe6ByU

"Roll, Jordan", is a spiritual written by Charles Wesley in the 18th century which became popular with slaves in the United States during the 19th century. Appropriated as a coded message for escape, by the end of the American Civil War it had become known through much of the eastern United States. In the 20th century it helped inspire blues, and it remains a staple in gospel music.”

* Part of the Second Great Awakening,

* It was introduced to Black slaves by a planter or missionary, in an attempt to Western Christianize the slaves and eliminate their faith in traditional religions; this was hoped to make the slaves more docile, and thus easier to control.

* The River Jordan of the song became a coded message for escape, calling to mind the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers, both of which led to the slave-free northern United States and thus freedom

* The song was adapted, together with several other Black spirituals, by Nicholas Britell for the 2013 film 12 Years a Slave. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stated that he felt compelled to rearrange the song because "it was very important to create a world that was very unique", and the original lyrics were already well known

* Powers found that the film's use of "Roll, Jordan, Roll" served as a counterpoint to "Run, Nigger Run", a song of warning appropriated by the White overseer John Tibeats (portrayed by Paul Dano): where "Run, Nigger, Run" is used as a "taunt" to break the slaves' spirits, "Roll, Jordan, Roll" serves to reaffirm the character Northup's desire to not just survive, but live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAKcSuMtjhc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JtD_YpyXYU

1) Why was music so crucial to the lives of the slaves?

Queen of the field – Patsey’s song

Little girl Blue

What does freedom mean (to a free man)