Introduction:
Gospel music has being a vital part of spiritual life and the church since the late 1800’s. It takes it roots from both Negro spirituals and traditional church hymns which came from Europe. Revivalists of the turn of the century employed gospel music to stir emotions and gain converts.
Lyrics:
Gospel music lyrics are usually simple and clear to communicate the message of God’s love and the sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross. The message is expressed sometimes from an experiential "I" and "my" perspective and sometimes from a "we" and "thou" angle (community-oriented traditional hymns).
Gospel Rhythms:
Black gospel music is very rhythmic and involves frequent clapping to the beat of the song. Repetitious lyrics and rhythm patterns are often employed to make memorization of the lyrical content easier. One such song, says "Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King, Soon and very soon we are going to see the King" repeatedly and finishes with "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we are going to see the King." This repetitious rhythm is both didactic and emotional.
Gospel Performers:
Gospel music is presented by a variety of performers. The soloist is often employed to deliver a gospel song as an invitational tune at the end of a service. Duets are used on occasion to inspire the congregation with a heartfelt message. Gospel trios and quartets, such as the Gaither Trio and the Imperials, have produced many gospel classics. Choirs have also presented gospel tunes in churches and in concerts to inspire the faith of many.
Some famous gospel singers include; Mahalia Jackson, Shirley Caesar and Donnie McClurkin. Many covers of Gospel music have being covered by Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, and Beyonce.
Sub-Genres:
Gospel music encompasses many sub-genres and styles. The traditional black gospel choir or soloist is definitely part of what gospel music is but not the whole picture. There are Country gospel singers whose inspirational