The poem “Who’ll Join the Union from Lyrics of the Afro American Spiritual: A Documentary Collection” by Erskine Peters, is an a song African Americans sang about joining the Union the Civil war. In this spiritual song, African Americans are singing to God and to one another about God’s mighty works and joining the union. This song sings of God and praying to him to change one 's way. It also speaks that through changing one 's ways, God, who first paved the way by Christ coming down and dying for one 's sins to set their soul free; Now through their faith, God has now paved the way for them to receive physical freedom through them joining the union.
This poem begins with saying the highest form of praise to God, which is “hallelujah”. It is as though African Americans during the civil war are using the Lord and trying to move other slaves to join the union through praising God. Many African Americans became born again Christians, so this song reaches to other born again Christian. The song has a repetitive saying of “who’ll join the union" however it also talks to others about the power of prayer. God is moving and working, however, in order to be a part of it and want his glory, it is important to take
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Throughout this Song it seems as though they are reaching others not to only be saved but to join the union. In joining the union, God will work miracles. The song states “I love to see a God’s work go on”. This song can be perceived as propaganda for the union and also to push the significance of joining the union. Although Christ has brought them liberty by dying for their sins, he was not done and has a lot more in store for them. In joining the Union, The lord will lead them out of bondage, out of slavery. Spiritual songs are simple and repetitive so it is also easy to sing along. Which is a big difference. In this way, they can spread news or let others know about what is going on. This song allows slaves to communicate to one another in a fast effective