Special | 2m 40s | Video has closed captioning.
The Hymnist sang praises to celebrate the salvation of the soul and to save the body from slavery. In this short animated series, Cornerstones: Found Voices of the Black Church, we look at just a few pivotal people who brought the reality of the right to gather, read, sing, worship and share these truths that should have always been self-evident.
Aired: 02/09/21
From:
♪ I'm bound for the promise land ♪ ♪ On the other side of Jordan ♪ ♪ Bound for the promised land ♪ ♪ I'll meet you in the morning ♪ - I sang praise to interweave messages as codes hidden in plain sight.
Songs came so naturally to us as we worked, and they were often overlooked by our owners, so I made sure to sing loud and clear.
My passionate hymns flowed over the homestead for all to hear.
Some stood bewildered as I confidently walked to the edge of the plantation.
The master rode right past me as I sang of how I was headed for the promise land.
Only the initiated knew my meaning.
I was leaving.
I sang praise to the Lord while revealing my plan.
My mama tried to stop me.
My brothers tried to turn me back.
But I blazed ahead until I reached the border.
I looked down at my hands to see if I was the same person now that I was free.
There was such a glory over everything.
The sun came like gold through the trees and over the fields.
And I felt like I was in heaven.
I found more ways to use this unique gift as I led 39 fugitives out of bondage.
Our pursuers searched for us, their torches flashed by as we hid.
I had to find us safe passage.
So I left my passengers concealed in the woods by the cover of night.
I ventured off alone.
My nerves were frantic so I sang to myself.
No longer in a fog, a peace came over me, and I discovered a safe path but I needed to alert my followers.
It came so naturally to me, I sang for them.
I sang of danger when our enemies were near, and safety if it was clear to come out.
They trusted my voice to deliver them.
And the Lord provided the rest.
My voice was my tool, so I continued to find ways to use it to further the kingdom.
I am Harriet Tubman, the hymnist.
And I am a branch grafted on the tree of the church.
I'm bound for the promised land on the other side of Jordan.
Bound for the promised land.
I'll meet you in the morning.
(logo whooshing)
The Black Church.
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