>> Female singer: ♪ Hallelujah!

♪♪ >> Gullah be de unique and rich culture of the Sea Islands of the South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida coastline.

It was birthed out of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade when we West Africans were brought yuh in the belly of a slave ship 'cross the Atlantic Ocean from African countries such as Sierra Leone, Senegal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Angola-- rice-cultivating countries-- to work the great rice plantations of dese Sea Islands.

It is the blending of all the West African cultures with that of the European masters' culture, with that of the Native Americans who are the original owners of the plantation lands that these great plantations were birthed on.

It is the blending of all them t'ing together, is what Gullah is.

Now, me want you fuh sit back.

I have a story fuh tell you.

Listen here to Aunt Pearlie-Sue, you hear what I say?

'Cause I got a story to tell you.

1860, Christmas Eve, the eve of the Civil War, "A Gullah Kinfolk Wish: Freedom Comin'."

You hear what I say?

Freedom comin'.

>> Female singer: ♪ Fala da star, ♪ ♪ fala da star, ♪ ♪ fala da star to Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ Fala da star, ♪ ♪ fala da star... ♪♪ [rhythmic drumbeats] >> De drums of Muddah Africa, the heartbeat of all civilizations.

De cradle of all civilization is Muddah Africa... de Queen Muddah of great African kings and queens: Hannibal the Great; Chaka Zulu, warrior king of South Africa; Massa Musa, gold emperor of Ghana, West Africa; Queen Nzinga, queen of Angola; Queen Mekeda; virgin African queens of the country of Sheba; proud mother of mathematicians, agricultural engineers, architects, philosophers, professors of great university systems, like in the city of Timbuktu, musicians, artisans, dancers, and then there's Binda, a ten-year-old Sierra Leonean young gal... kidnapped from the shores of West Africa.

Binda!

[rhythmic drumbeats] >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪ >> ♪ Ashé, ashé.

♪ >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪ >> ♪ Ashé, ashé.

♪ >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪ >> ♪ Ashé, ashé.

♪ >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪ >> ♪ Ashé, ashé.

♪ >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪ >> ♪ Ashé, ashé.

♪ >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪ >> ♪ Ashé, ashé.

♪ >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪ >> ♪ Ashé, ashé.

♪ >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪ >> ♪ Ashé, ashé.

♪ >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪ >> ♪ Ashé, ashé.

♪ >> ♪ Funga alafia!

♪♪ >> 'Cilla... a li' Sierra Leone gal, ten years old... snatched, kidnapped, thrown in the belly of a slave ship by de name of "Hare."

Ain't got no mammy no more fo ten' to, no mammy to sing 'em fo sleep, no mammy to ten' fo 'em when dey sick... her back stretch out on the flo' of an old, wooden slave ship.

It 1756, April.

That gal find now find sheself on the way across the Atlantic Ocean, by way of the Middle Passage voyage, to Charles Town, South Carolina, soon to become the property of Elias Ball, plantation owner of a rice plantation.

Binda!

Binda been her name.

Now 'e called 'Cilla...'Cilla.

[several people crying and moaning] Five to eight weeks in the belly of an old, stinkin' slave ship, traveling from the west coast of Africa, by way of the West Indies, to the Carolina shores... the Trans-Atlantic triangular slave trade, human cargo packed in less than 18 inches from top to bottom.

African kings and queens found themselves shackled in the belly of the old, stinkin' slave ship.

Air was foul with human waste and dead bodies; water contaminated; food rotten.

Fifty percent of we perish before ever reachin' these shores of the Carolinas, and some of we even opted to take we own lives, diving into shark-infested waters, refusin' to be rescued by we captors in rescue boats.

An old English sea captain by the name of Sir John Newton was a captain of a slave ship that carried human cargo, sometime up to 510.

There was a terrible storm one night, and he went through a spiritual rebirth and realized dis t'ing called slavery was not of God.

It was not no good t'ing to do.

And he sat and he penned de lyrics, de words, to the song "Amazing Grace," which was a tune of a West African chant.

"'Mazing grace, how sweet the sound, to save a wretch like me.

Me once was lost, but now me found.

Was blind to the human sufferin', but t'ank God, now me see."

He gave up his old trade, and he became a preachin' man and one of the world's greatest abolitionists against slavery.

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound."

>> ♪ A-a-ma... ♪ ♪ zin' grace... ♪ ♪ how sweet... ♪ ♪ the song... ♪ ♪ that saved... ♪ ♪ a wretch... ♪ ♪ like me.

♪ ♪ I once... ♪ ♪ was lost... ♪ ♪ but now... ♪ ♪ I'm found.

♪ ♪ Was blind... ♪ ♪ but now... ♪ ♪ I...see.

♪ ♪ 'Twas grace... ♪ ♪ that taught... ♪ ♪ my heart... ♪ ♪ to fear... ♪ ♪ and grace... ♪ ♪ my fear... ♪ ♪ relieved.

♪ ♪ How precious... ♪ ♪ did... ♪ ♪ that grace... ♪ ♪ appear... ♪ ♪ the hour... ♪ ♪ I first... ♪ ♪ believed.

♪ ♪ Through many... ♪ ♪ dangers, toils... ♪ ♪ and snares... ♪ ♪ I have... ♪ ♪ alrea...dy... ♪ ♪ come.

♪ ♪ 'Twas grace... ♪ ♪ that brought... ♪ ♪ me safe... ♪ ♪ thus far... ♪ ♪ and grace... ♪ ♪ will lead... ♪ ♪ me... ♪ ♪ home.

♪ >> ♪ Been blind... ♪ ♪ but now I... ♪ ♪ see.... ♪♪ >> Papa... you know 'fo we git yuh... dey take we there to de West Indies.

Say wan' broke we in... season we, hm... an' make we better slave.

Some of we been trade for molasses and rum, fo' massa fo' get druk off.

That's all we was.

Then dey bring we over yuh to the Carolina shores... to work these cotton fields.

Hand pick up from de cotton.

Hand black up from de indigo dye.

Water moccasin, skeeter 'fested rice fields.

Leeches suckin' da blood out ya leg, ain't dey?

You know, sometime I look at massa and I say, "Oh, you t'ink you got dis 'cause yo'self."

Dey ain't come git we, Papa, cause we ain't know nothin'.

Come git we, Papa, for what we know.

Dat what dey come get we fo'.

Make massa rich, you see.

Sometimes I just sit and I wonder, Lord, how come we be yuh?

How come you bring we yuh, this strange and barren land?

How come you bring me yuh, Lawd?

Papa, sometime, me wish me neber been born.

♪ Lawd... ♪ ♪ how kum we be here?

♪ ♪ Lawd... ♪ ♪ how kum we be here?

♪ ♪ Lawd... ♪ ♪ how kum we be here?

♪ >> ♪ Me wish... ♪ ♪ me neber... ♪ ♪ been bahn.

♪ ♪ Lawd... ♪ ♪ how kum we be here?

♪ ♪ Lawd... ♪ ♪ how kum we be here?

♪ ♪ Lawd... ♪ ♪ how kum we be here?

♪ ♪ Me wish... ♪ ♪ me neber... ♪ ♪ been bahn.

♪ ♪ Lawd... ♪ ♪ how kum we be here?

♪ ♪ Lawd... ♪ ♪ how kum we be here?

♪ ♪ Lawd... ♪ ♪ how kum we be here?

♪ ♪ Me wish... ♪ ♪ me neber... ♪ ♪ been bahn.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lord... ♪ ♪ me wish... ♪ ♪ me neber... ♪ ♪ been bahn.

♪ ♪ Me wish... ♪ ♪ me neber... ♪ ♪ been bahn.

♪ ♪ Oh, dey tek me chillun.

♪ ♪ Me wish... ♪ ♪ me neber... ♪ ♪ been bahn.

♪♪ >> Papa always say, "Gal, yo' heart always so heavy, but trouble don't las' always!"

I say, "Me know, Papa.

You know, like David, you haf to 'courage yo'self."

I say, "Weepin' may endure for a night, but Joy, it be comin' in de' mornin'!"

>> ♪ Trouble will be obah, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Trouble will be obah, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Trouble will be obah ♪ ♪ when me see Jedus.

♪ ♪ Trouble will be obah, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪♪ >> Oh, 'cession talk goin' on, war talk.

Massa an' dem done talk about if dat boy Abe Lincoln is elected President, these yuh Southern states gonna secede out da Union.

Sho' 'nuf, Abe Lincoln is President, and I done see massa and dem sit down to the table dis last week, December 14, and dey done sign dem papers formin' dese yuh Confederate States of the South.

Hm, war talk goin' on eb'ryweh.

Up North, dey talkin' 'bout war.

Down South yuh, dey talkin' 'bout war.

Missy obah dere in de parlor, war talk goin' on.

House Negro talkin' 'bout de war.

Obah yuh in de corner, talkin' 'bout war.

I ain't got no war to talk.

I ain't talkin' no war, 'cause I feel 'em in my soul, trouble soon gonna be obah.

Trouble soon gonna be obah, chillun!

You hear what I said?

Trouble soon gonna be obah 'cause freedom comin'.

Freedom comin'!

Freedom comin', Amen.

>> ♪ Oh, trouble will be obah, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Trouble will be obah, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Trouble will be obah ♪ ♪ when me see Jedus.

♪ ♪ Trouble will be obah, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> Oh, Papa!

>> ♪ Me see the lighthouse, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Me see the lighthouse, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Me see the lighthouse ♪ ♪ when me see Jedus.

♪ ♪ Trouble will be obah, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, freedom kumin', ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Oh, freedom kumin', ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Oh, freedom kumin' ♪ ♪ when me see Jedus.

♪ ♪ Trouble will be obah, ♪ ♪ Amen.

♪♪ >> Oh, hallelujah!

Oh, trouble soon gonna be obah.

De crop done in.

Massa done take de cotton to ma'ket.

Eb'rybody gettin' ready fo' Christmas, yo' see.

Oh...oh, missy got all de house Negro to polish up silver, dust, an' eb'ryt'ing.

Gal, had her scrub de floor.

Even chamber pots bein' thrown out all obah de place 'cause got extra company comin'.

See, dey ain't got no time off like we obah yuh in de quarters.

Oh, we got some time off.

De fu'st time, Christmas time, in de year, but we got what you call "a whole week of Sunday."

You know, dat young buck say, "Massa, how long we got off?"

Massa say, "Long as dat yule log bu'n."

I tell dat boy, "When you go find dat yule log, make sho' it's a big one, now, and let it be loaded down wit' some water so it bu'n slo' so we can have a long time off."

Oh, yes, sir...

I sho' is glad to be out dat field.

Glory be to God.

I tell ya.

>> ♪ Glory be to God on high!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Oh, glory be to God on high!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Ohhh, glory be to God on high!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Ohhh... ♪ ♪ glory be to God on high!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh, glory be to God on high!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Yeah, glory be to God on high!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Oh, Christ was born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ The Son of God and the Son of Man.

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Oh, glory be to God on high!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪♪ >> Glory be to God on high, hallelujah, 'cause I feel freedom comin'.

Glory be to God on high.

>> Gal, I sure hope dat old Tom Fripp obah dere on dat plantation obah yonder 'llow dat gal o' yours to come on home for Christmas.

>> Yes, ma'am.

I ain't see my gal in three long years.

>> Hm!

>> In three.

>> You know, dey tell me old Tom Fripp ain't let nobody off dat plantation, not since dat man o' yours done gone to freedom.

>> Yes, ma'am, I 'member!

>> Oh, when me git dere.

I can hear 'em right now!

>> Oh, yeah.

>> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> Who dat obah dere?

Oh, Lord!

Oh, t'ank you, Jedus!

>> Dat's my gal?

>> Oh, Lord.

Oh, Lord.

Oh, Lord.

T'ank you.

Oh, t'ank you, Lord.

T'ank you.

>> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ ♪ Amen!

♪ >> ♪ 'lujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> Oh, t'ank you, Lord.

Oh, gal, let me look at you.

Oh, God, look at you!

>> ♪ Amen!

♪ ♪ Say, no mo' cryin'!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, say, no mo' cryin'!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Say no mo cryin'!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ T'ank God, ♪ ♪ Amen!

♪ ♪ Shout, Trouble obah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Shout, Trouble obah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Shout, Trouble obah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Me God fo' sing.

♪ ♪ Amen!

♪ ♪ Say, No mo' dyin'!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ say, no mo' dyin'!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Say, no mo' dyin'!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when me git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Me God fo' sing.

♪ ♪ Amen!

♪ ♪ Sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when we git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when we git dere.

♪ ♪ Sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when we git dere.

♪ >> ♪ We God fo' sing.

♪ ♪ Amen!

♪ ♪ Sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when we git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Whoa, sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when we git dere.

♪ >> ♪ Sing Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ when we git dere.

♪ >> ♪ We God fo' sing!

♪ ♪ Amen!

♪♪ >> T'ank you, Lawd.

[humming song] [humming song] >> Amen!

T'ank you, Lawd.

T'ank you, Lawd.

T'ank you.

>> Massa ain't think we ha' no 'ligion when we came yuh.

He ain't mos think we ha' no soul wort' savin'.

Oh, but he be wrong, 'cause, see, the African come yuh with God in dey heart.

We know 'bout the Creator.

See, praisin' God for we ain' been no just Sunday mornin' t'ing.

We praise God all day long!

Through all the hardship, we still give God praise.

And Christmastime a special time fo' 'member what God done done for we.

We got de praise house yuh, where massa left we to weself so we can praise God the way we want fuh.

And we 'member 'bout the special gift God sent to we, Jedus Christ, we Saviour, fuh give we Hope fuh a better day a comin'.

We t'ank God fuh Him.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

>> T'ank you, Heavenly Fader.

T'ank you for this gat'ering today, Heavenly Fader.

Heavenly Fader, me thank you fuh me daughter.

You brought 'em from a long, long way.

Heavenly Fader, we thank you.

And Heavenly Fader, when we done gone the last mile of de way, when we got to think about our soul in the Golden Sand, declare we ain't gonna study war no more, want you to meet us someplace, Heavenly Fader, down at the Christian cross where part of your horses crossin' the flood and me imagine a thousand crossin' right now.

For Christ and Redeemer, let us all sing ♪ A....men!

♪ ♪ Everybody!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Let us all sing.

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Sing it in the morning.

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Sing it in the evening.

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Sing it at midnight.

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ A-a-a-men!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ A-a-a-men!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ A-a-a-men!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ See the little baby!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Wrapped in a manger!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ On Christmas morning!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Hallelujah.

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Glory Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Glory Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Down at the river!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ John was baptizing!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ He was savin' all sinners!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ [humming] >> ♪ Glory Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Glory Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ I feel like dancing!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Glory Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Glory Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Glory Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Glory Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Glory Hallelujah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Ohhh, yeah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Sing it, yeah!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ >> ♪ Sing it, Amen!

♪ >> ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ Amen.

♪ ♪ A-meeeen.... ♪♪ >> Teacher: A.

>> Students: A, B.

>> Teacher: B.

>> Students: B.

>> Teacher: C. >> Students: C. >> Teacher: D. >> Students: D. >> Teacher: A...B...C...D. >> Freedom in the air.

Learnin' goin' on down in de Pit School.

Massa an' dem so busy gettin' ready fo' Christmas and all the visitors and t'ing.

Overseer back dere in de corner, drinkin' all dat libation and t'ing.

He ain' got no time fo' look at we an' keep no eye on we.

What better time fo' we to get some learnin' in?

Learnin' how fo' read and write.

Massa whip we mos' to death if he know we tryin' fo' learn how to read.

Hm!

Hear 'bout some massa cuttin' yo' hand off.

Some cut yo' tongue out.

Even some mos' lynch you dead!

Hm!

But the Word of God come down from Heben, say me people perish fo' lack o' knowledge.

We know knowledge be power, and the chance we take in the Pit School, it worth it to learn the learnin'.

Down yuh in Egypt land, de land of bondage fo' we people of Africa, knowledge be power... freedom.

>> ♪ Oh-oh... ♪ ♪ wa-a-ay down.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lord... ♪ ♪ way down.

♪ ♪ Way down in Egypt land.

♪ ♪ Way down.

♪ ♪ Oh... ♪ ♪ way down, Lord.

♪ ♪ Way down.

♪ ♪ Way down in Egypt land.

♪ ♪ Way down in Egypt land.

♪ ♪ Way down in Egypt land.

♪ ♪ Way down in Egypt land.

♪♪ >> Christmastime... 'scaping time!

Massa and de overseer so busy gettin' ready for all de Christmas visitors, dey ain't got time fo' keep no close eye on we.

What better time to escape off dese plantation yuh!

Hm!

Massa say to heself, "Go give 'em 'e new clothes fo' de year, extra food to eat, and even some may get visitors' passes to go visit where dey loved ones on other plantation.

I know me slave ain't got no 'scapin' on dey mind!"

Dat what he say to heself.

But he ain' know, freedom always on we mind.

t'inking 'bout Muddah Africa, t'inking 'bout de chillun he done sold from we, de lickings and de whippings and de lynchin'.

Oh, freedom on we mind!

Freedom from dis yuh Egypt land, dis land o' bondage.

Hush, chillun!

Hush!

>> Follow the star!

>> ♪ Fala de star... ♪ ♪ fala de star... ♪ ♪ fala de star to Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ Fala de star... ♪ ♪ fala de star... ♪ ♪ fala de star to Bethlehem.

♪ >> Come here, boy!

Oh, no, you can't turn back!

I shoot you dead fo' I let you go back!

A dead Negro can't talk!

Go, boy, go!

♪ >> Harriet Tubman, born in Maryland, dat gal 'scape de plantation, gone up North.

You think 'e be satisfied with yo' own self bein' free, but no, dat gal come back here mos' 19 time fo' free over 300 of we from dese yuh plantation of the South.

Dey tell me dey ha' $40,000 on 'e head, for reward if you capture dat gal.

She was a conductor on what we call the Underground Railroad.

Ain' neber loss a passenger!

She know all she haf fo' do wa' look up dere in de sky fo' see that North Star and fala da star, up North to freedom.

Anybody try fo' turn back, she say, "I shoot you dead fo' I let houna turn back."

Oh, no...won't turn back!

>> ♪ Oh, no!

♪ >> ♪ Won't turn back.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, no!

♪ >> ♪ Won't turn back.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, no!

♪ >> ♪ Won't turn back.

♪ ♪ Make me leader shame.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, sing it, no, no.

♪ >> ♪ Won't turn back.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, no!

♪ >> ♪ Won't turn back.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, no!

♪ >> ♪ Won't turn back.

♪ ♪ Make me leader shame.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, sing it, no, no.

♪ >> ♪ Won't turn back.

♪♪ >> ♪ Oh, Lawdy, ♪ ♪ pick a bail o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lawdy, ♪ ♪ pick a bale a day!

♪♪ >> Me sure glad it Christmastime.

Massa let ol' Papa dere go on to de other plantation fo' see a gal git hitched, 'cause, see, Christmastime is the mos' popular time fo' enslaved Africans to be hitched, enslaved Africans to be hitched, >> ANITA SINGLETON PRATHER: YOU SEE CHRISTMASTIME IS THE MOST POPULAR TIME FOR SLAVE AFRICANS, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO AT YOUR PLANTATION, SOME MASTER TELL YOU TO JUMP THE BOOM ONE TIME OVER, ANOTHER ONE MIGHT TELL YOU FOR JUMPING BACKWARDS, BUT ANY WAY YOU JUMP EM, YOU BETTER JUMP EM HIGH.

OR YOU BE THE FIRST TO DIE.

GAL, JUMP ON OVER THERE, HOLY MATTERY MOANY.

JUMP DOWN, TURN AROUND, PICK A BAIL OF COTTON.

ton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Jump down, turn around, pick a bale o' cotton!

♪ ♪ Jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Jump down, turn around, pick a bale o' cotton!

♪ ♪ Jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Jump down, turn around, pick a bale o' cotton!

♪ ♪ Jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Jump down, turn around, pick a bale o' cotton!

♪ ♪ Jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale o' cotton.

♪ ♪ Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day!

♪♪ >> De day dey yuh, Christmas Day.

Oh, yeah, freedom comin'!

Oh, yeah, freedom comin'!

>> THE DAY BE YOUNG.

CHRISTMAS DAY.

OH YEAH, CHRISTMAS COMING.

THAT'S WHAT THE SAVIOR BE BORN FOR.

THE CHILDREN SO EXCITED.

UPPER MINT STICK.

Why de angels sing 'Hallelujah'?"

I say, "Baby, dey sing 'em 'cause Jesus Christ be born, born fo' bring we freedom."

>> ♪ Why the angels sing 'Glory, Glory'?

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Hallelujah'?

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Peace on Earth'?

♪ ♪ 'Cause Jedus Christ be born.

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Glory, Glory'?

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Hallelujah'?

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Peace on Earth'?

♪ ♪ 'Cause Jedus Christ be born.

♪ ♪ He been born, born, born, born, ♪ ♪ born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ He been born, born, born, born, ♪ ♪ Son of God and Son of Man.

♪ ♪ He been born, born, born, born, ♪ ♪ born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ He been born, born, born, born, ♪ ♪ Christ Emmanuel.

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Glory, Glory'?

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Hallelujah'?

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Peace on Earth'?

♪ ♪ 'Cause Jedus Christ be born.

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Glory, Glory'?

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Hallelujah'?

♪ ♪ Why the angels sing 'Peace on Earth'?

♪ ♪ 'Cause Jedus Christ be born.

♪ ♪ He been born, born, born, born, ♪ ♪ born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ He been born, born, born, born, ♪ ♪ the Son of God and Son of Man.

♪ ♪ He been born, born, born, born, ♪ ♪ born in Bethlehem.

♪ ♪ He been born, born, born, born, ♪ ♪ Christ Emmanuel.

♪ ♪ Oh, Christ Emmanuel.

♪ >> ♪ Sweet little baby.

♪ >> ♪ Christ Emmanuel.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Christ Emmanuel.

♪ >> ♪ Oh... ♪ >> ♪ Christ Emmanuel.

♪♪ >> You know de world ain' treat He no better than ol' massa treat we yah, eben tho' Him been de King o' Kings and de Lord o' Lord!

But you know wha'?

It still been a mighty day when Jedus Christ been born.

De angels sang in glory when Jedus Christ been born.

>> ♪ Wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ Wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ Wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ Oh, wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ Oh, wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ Oh, wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ Oh, wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ Oh, wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ Oh, wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ Oh, some call Him Emmanuel, ♪ ♪ the Prince of Peace.

♪ ♪ Oh, some call Him Emmanuel, ♪ ♪ the Prince of Peace.

♪ ♪ Oh, some call Him Emmanuel, ♪ ♪ the Prince of Peace.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ Oh, wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ Oh, wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ Wasn't dat a mighty day ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born?

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ >> ♪ Holy, Holy, Holy, ♪ ♪ Lord God Almighty, ♪ ♪ early in the morning, ♪ ♪ angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ >> ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ >> ♪ Holy Lord God Almighty, ♪ ♪ early in the morning, ♪ ♪ angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ >> ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ >> ♪ Holy Lord God Almighty, ♪ ♪ early in the morning, ♪ ♪ angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ >> ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been born.

♪ ♪ De angels sang in glory ♪ ♪ when Jedus Christ been booorrrn.

♪♪ >> Ooh, music eb'rywhere!

I tell you, up in the big house, dem house servants are singin' "O Come Let Us Adore Him," all dem sweet European melodies.

And then you go down in the quarters, the Africans struttin' around doing the cakewalk and the pigeon dance!

I tell you dat dem ol' toe-tappin', hand-clappin' spirituals going on!

You know, you mos' t'ink de angel done come all de way from Heben fo' join we with dis celebration yuh.

Ooh, what a good time, I tell you!

Oh, Lord have mercy!

>> ♪ O come let us ♪ ♪ adore... ♪ ♪ him.

♪ ♪ O come let us ♪ ♪ adore... ♪ ♪ him.

♪ ♪ O come let us ♪ ♪ adore... ♪ ♪ him, ♪ ♪ Christ... ♪ ♪ the Lord.

♪ >> ♪ O come let us ♪ ♪ adore... ♪ ♪ him.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, come!

♪ >> ♪ O come let us ♪ ♪ adore... ♪ ♪ him.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, come!

♪ >> ♪ O come let us ♪ ♪ adore... ♪ ♪ him, ♪ ♪ Christ... ♪ ♪ the Lord.

♪ ♪ In Him, ♪ ♪ there's only victory.

♪ ♪ In Him, ♪ ♪ there's only victory.

♪ ♪ In Him, ♪ ♪ there's only victory.

♪ ♪ In Christ... ♪ ♪ the Lord.

♪ >> ♪ Christ!

♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ!

♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ!

♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ!

♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ!

♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ!

♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ!

♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ!

♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ... ♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ... ♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ ♪ Christ.

♪ >> ♪ Christ... ♪ >> ♪ Christ.

♪ ♪ Christ.

♪ ♪ Christ.

♪ ♪ Christ.

♪ ♪ Christ... ♪ ♪ Christ... ♪ ♪ Christ, Christ, ♪ ♪ Christ, Christ, ♪ ♪ Christ, Christ, ♪ ♪ Christ, ♪ ♪ Christ... ♪ ♪ Christ... ♪ ♪ Christ... ♪ ♪ the Lord.

♪♪ >> Freedom comin'.

He bring hope.

He bring new life.

That sweet li'l Jedus boy, He come fo' bring we freedom!

Oh, what a wonderful child!

>> ♪ Jedus... ♪ ♪ Jedus... ♪ ♪ Ohh, what a wonderful child!

♪ ♪ Jedus... ♪ ♪ Jedus... ♪ ♪ so holy, meek, and mild!

♪ ♪ You know, new life... ♪ >> ♪ New life.

♪ >> ♪ New hope... ♪ >> ♪ New hope.

♪ >> ♪ To all He bring.

♪ ♪ Won't you listen ♪ ♪ to the angels sing.

♪ ♪ Dey singin'... ♪ >> ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory... ♪ ♪ to the newborn King!

♪ ♪ Well, His name is... ♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Jedus!

♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Ohh!

♪ ♪ Ohh, what a wonderful child!

♪ ♪ Well, His name is... ♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ King o' Kings.

♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Lord o' Lords.

♪ >> ♪ Holy, meek, and mild.

♪ >> ♪ You know, new life... ♪ >> ♪ New hope... ♪ ♪ To all He bring.

♪ ♪ Oh, won't you listen ♪ ♪ to the angels sing.

♪ ♪ Dey singin'... ♪ >> ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory... ♪ ♪ to the newborn King!

♪ >> ♪ It been early... ♪ ♪ one Christmas morning... ♪ ♪ when Him was born an' laid ♪ ♪ in the lowly manger.

♪ ♪ Virgin Mary been Him mama.

♪ ♪ Joseph been Him earthly father.

♪ ♪ The Wise Men, ♪ ♪ they came from afar.

♪ ♪ They were followin' the shining star!

♪ ♪ Lord... ♪ ♪ to see the baby ♪ ♪ where He lai-ai-aid, ♪ ♪ in a manger ♪ ♪ so filled with hay-ay-ay.

♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Jedus!

♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Jedus!

♪ >> ♪ Ohh, what a wonderful child!

♪ ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Mary's baby!

♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ King of Kings!

♪ >> ♪ Holy, meek, and mild!

♪ ♪ You know, new life... ♪ ♪ new hope... ♪ ♪ to all he brings.

♪ ♪ Oh, won't you listen ♪ ♪ to the angels sing.

♪ ♪ Dey singin' glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory!

♪ >> ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory!

♪ >> ♪ Glory... ♪ ♪ to the newborn King!

♪ >> ♪ Well, dey singin'... ♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Jedus!

♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Jedus!

♪ >> ♪ Ohh, what a wonderful child!

♪ >> ♪ His name is... ♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ Jedus!

♪ >> ♪ Jedus.

♪ >> ♪ King of Kings!

♪ >> ♪ So holy, meek, and mild.

♪ ♪ New life... ♪ ♪ new hope... ♪ ♪ to all he brings.

♪ ♪ Oh, won't you listen ♪ ♪ to the angels sing.

♪ ♪ Dey singin'... ♪ ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory!

♪ >> ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory!

♪ >> ♪ Glory... ♪ ♪ to the newborn King!

♪ >> ♪ Well, dey singin'... ♪ >> ♪ Glory.

♪ >> ♪ Glory!

♪ >> ♪ Glory... ♪ ♪ to the newbooorrrn... ♪ >> ♪ The newbooorrrn... ♪ >> ♪ King!

♪♪ >> Freedom comin'.

>> ♪ Oh, oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Me say, Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Me say, Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Me say, Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ You told me to sing, ♪ ♪ and me done that, too, Lord.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ You told me to sing, ♪ ♪ and me done that, too, Lord.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ You told me to pray, ♪ ♪ and me done that, too, Lord.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ You told me to pray, ♪ ♪ and me done that, too, Lord.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Me say, Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ You told me to shout, ♪ ♪ and me done that, too, Lord.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ You told me to shout, ♪ ♪ and me done that, too, Lord.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Told me to pray, ♪ ♪ and me done that, too, Lord.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Told me to pray, ♪ ♪ and me done that, too, Lord.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh, me done done.

♪ >> ♪ Done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪ >> ♪ Oh Lordy aye!

♪ >> ♪ Me done done what you told me fo' do.

♪♪ >> Aunt Pearlie-Sue: "A Gullah Kinfolk Wish: Freedom Comin'."

You hear what I say?

Freedom comin'.

Captioned by: CompuScripts Captioning, Inc. www.compuscriptsinc.com