I love Negro spirituals

My love for Negro spirituals or black gospel started when I was nine. The man pictured in this video sings for the Gaither Vocal band. His name is Richard. He was telling the story of how an old black woman down south told him that all the old negro spirituals could be played on the black keys of the piano. Then he demonstrated several songs that were played on just the black keys.

How did a white boy from Virginia come to love negro spirituals or black gospel you ask? She was my guidance counselor before she was my teacher. She would keep asking me how I would get so badly bruised. I asked her why does she care what happens to one of her white students? She said “she loved all of her students black or white.” She promised not to tell the principal of any new abuse, if I told her what was going on so I did.

She went by my house on a Saturday and asked my mother if I could go to church with her on Sunday. My mother to my surprise said yes. When I went to Sunday school class the teacher asked me how I felt. I said “like the cream between the Oreo.” Everyone laughed including the teacher. One of the kids said hey for a white boy “ you’re pretty funny.” When Sunday school was over I was sent to main sanctuary and the choir sang. It was my first time hearing those songs sung. I was mesmerized and shocked that a choir could sound so good. I was so accepted by everyone at the church, I felt loved and special for the first time in my life.

After a year and a half, my counselor who eventually became my teacher died of breast cancer on the operating table. But my love for the negro spirituals never left. My counselor/teacher left that much of an impression on my life. I love her for it. Mrs. Patterson, I love you so much.