I guess that I must be a racist since I sing in a choir that recorded a version of this Spiritual. At the time of our recording this piece, we had two Black Canadians in the choir. Are they racist also?
We also tried a number of other Spirituals including ‘Deep River’. Not many verses but VERY powerful piece of music.
I am with you. I was exposed to Stephen Foster in elementary school and loved his work. I still play them on the violin. They have a musical quality that is fantastic. I never once thought about them as racial although I was aware that the songs were about the nature of life in the deep South.
I now look at it as I do the appreciation of good wine. And you know when a song sticks in your head all day, like Camtown Races or Swanee River, it is simply good. (You’re hooked).