They were gathering in the morning for this occasion, and they were probably slaves somewhere in 19th Century southeastern America, perhaps as specific an area as shown here (see map). That they had transported some of what they sang from their African roots is also possible for this group of worshippers. We know not their names, but when they jointly said “Let Us Break Bread Together”, it marked the part of their day that helped them endure. If they were like others of their heritage and their status in life, reaching outside of themselves for strength was not really a casual affair. And yet it was an option, embodied in the first two words of what they said, in contrast to the enforced state that characterized most of their day. The ‘Lord’ to whom they sang was quite a different master than the earthly one they saw every day.
The history of 19th Century American slavery certainly needs no further exposition here to put into context why such a song as “Let Us Break Bread Together” emerged. (See below for link to information on African-American Spirituals.) Nevertheless, there are several specifics about the song’s origin that help us 21st Century travelers see more than we would at first glance. One source indicates that the West African group known as the Gullah/Geechee people who became slaves in the American Southeastern coast in the colonial period (1700s) – Carolinas, Georgia, and northeastern Florida (see map) – were the song’s creators. Other sources indicate alternately that slaves in Virginia first sang “Let Us…”. Were the people also reaching back to Islamic West African roots when they sang about ‘facing the rising sun’? And, some suggest that the group singing about being ‘on our knees’ were doing this activity stealthily, perhaps in conflict with the wishes of their owners. The most commonly held assumptions include the idea that this was a communion song, hence the ‘break(ing) bread’ (v.1) and ‘drink(ing) wine’ are references to the elements shared in memory of Jesus’ body; certainly, that is how the hymn is used today, but whether that is too narrow a focus at its inception is also possible. Some things are certain: those who gathered wanted to be together to acclaim God (v.3), to seek His mercy (refrain), and to eat and drink amongst each other (vv. 1-2), whether that was communion or a regular meal. Was that all? That they did this often enough, and that the words they sang survived for centuries, speaks to something else that we can presume persuaded their singing: they drew strength from His power when they lifted their voices.
The Unseen, as He is for all us earthbound folk, is a great hope that defies the trouble I’m in today. I need some source of transport beyond where I am or where I see myself going physically. And so, looking up is not only spiritually comforting, it’s logical. Admit it. Or, do you find solace in an uncertain future, or merely shrug your shoulders at everyday frustrations? No, you don’t, and neither do I. I need to know my life will not descend into nothing-ness. That’s what I think I might have been mulling over as a slave, gritting my teeth at the harsh nature of my life. It’s gonna be better – even glorious -- someday. That’s why I gird my spirit daily with others – break bread together, and look upward, and call out to Him.
See more information on the song in these sources: The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs by William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale House Publishers, 2006; Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1990.
Also see this link, showing all three original verses: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/l/e/t/u/letusbbt.htm
See here for history of the song: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-let-us-break-bread-together
See here also: https://hymnary.org/text/let_us_break_bread_together_on_our_knees
See here for broader information on this genre of music: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituals
No comments:
Post a Comment