African-American work songs originally developed in the era of captivity, between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries.

Because they were part of an almost entirely oral culture they had no fixed form and only began to be recorded as the era of Slavery came to an end after 1865.

Many slave song origins are found in African song traditions, and may have been sung to remind the Africans of home, while others were instituted by the captors to raise morale and keep Africans working in rhythm.

They have also been seen as a means of withstanding hardship and expressing anger and frustration through creativity or covert verbal opposition.

A common feature of African American songs was the call-and-response format, where a leader would sing a verse or verses and the others would respond with a chorus.

Be my woman gal I’ll
Be your Man
Everydays Sunday dollar in your hand
In your hand lordy, in your hand
Everydays Sunday dollar in your hand

Stick to the promise girl that
You made me
Won’t got married til’ uh
I go free
I go free lordy, I go free
Won’t got married til’ uh
I go free

Whoa Rosie, hold on gal

When She walks she reel and
Rocks behind
Aint that enough to worry,
convicts mind

Whoa Rosie, hold on gal (x2)