1. 12 Years a Slave Sound-
track
LESSON OBJECTIVE: TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE SOUNDTRACK
ON THE SUBJECT MATTER OF 12 YEARS A SLAVE
2. 12 Years a Slave is a stunningly powerful film. I was so moved when I saw it.
I felt every minute of it and was so inspired to contribute to the music of the soundtrack.
album brings together some incredible artists from different places and different genres
who have all been touched by the film. When artists are inspired by great art, it makes us
want to create.
This album is the result of that inspiration.
—John Legend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEGOBUe6ByU
3. "Roll, Jordan", is a spiritual written by Charles Wesley in the 18th century which became
popular with slaves in the United States during the 19th century. Appropriated as a coded
message for escape, by the end of the American Civil War it had become known through much
of the eastern United States. In the 20th century it helped inspire blues, and it remains a staple
in gospel music.”
4. * Part of the Second Great Awakening,
* It was introduced to Black slaves by a planter or missionary, in an attempt to Western Christianize
the slaves and eliminate their faith in traditional religions; this was hoped to make the slaves more
docile, and thus easier to control.
* The River Jordan of the song became a coded message for escape, calling to mind
the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers, both of which led to the slave-free northern United States and thus
freedom
* The song was adapted, together with several other Black spirituals, by Nicholas Britell for the 2013
film 12 Years a Slave. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stated that he felt compelled to
rearrange the song because "it was very important to create a world that was very unique", and the
original lyrics were already well known
* Powers found that the film's use of "Roll, Jordan, Roll" served as a counterpoint to "Run, Nigger
Run", a song of warning appropriated by the White overseer John Tibeats (portrayed by Paul Dano):
where "Run, Nigger, Run" is used as a "taunt" to break the slaves' spirits, "Roll, Jordan, Roll" serves to
reaffirm the character Northup's desire to not just survive, but live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAKcSuMtjhc
