Question

Write a two page essay on the song "I be so glad when the sun goes down" by Ed Lewis’ and explain why the lyrics of the song repeatedly express that relief comes when the sun goes down because slave do not have to work.

This is a 1930’s recording "I be so glad when the sun goes down" by Ed Lewis’ rendition of an old slave song. The call and answer structure of the song is reminiscent of the slaves’ communication in the fields. The lyrics of the song repeatedly express that relief comes when the sun goes down because you do not have to work, and you have the fleeting opportunity to rest. Slavery is an instance of the imprisonment of identity. Hegemonic beliefs placed people of color into a position of inferiority, and indeed even diminished their status as people. Thus, slavery as a form of incarceration served an economic purpose and reflected the importance of expanding industrialization in the United States.

Answer 1

Life of slaves was very busy and they were not getting proper payment for their services,. Humiliation had become an integral part of their life. They were working in diverse areas. No fixed work was there. They were forced to engaged in activities like cooking,cleaning, serving meals, caring of children of so called noble class.

They were also working in farms and in tea gardens. No working domain was devoid from their participation. Corn and rice were their main diet part. They were also forced to live without food for some days. They were just living a miserable life.

They were experiencing on everyday basis. It was a horrible experiences for them. They felt relaxed during nights because this was the time when they could relax.This was the time when they could live their life with their full flow wish.

In actual terms those dark hours of night were like the new morning for them. They could contact each other and could tell stories about their sufferings. Night time was their own time in which they used to express their sorrows of day.