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'''''"Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow"''''' is a song telling the story of [[Christmas]] morning, describing a "[[Star of Bethlehem|star in the East]]" that will lead to the [[Nativity of Jesus|birthplace of Christ]]. The title derives from a lyric repeated throughout the song. Depending on how the song is arranged and performed, it is known variously as a spiritual, hymn, [[Christmas carol|carol]], [[Gospel music|gospel song]], or [[Folk music|folk song]]. |
'''''"Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow"''''' is a song telling the story of [[Christmas]] morning, describing a "[[Star of Bethlehem|star in the East]]" that will lead to the [[Nativity of Jesus|birthplace of Christ]]. The title derives from a lyric repeated throughout the song. Depending on how the song is arranged and performed, it is known variously as a spiritual, hymn, [[Christmas carol|carol]], [[Gospel music|gospel song]], or [[Folk music|folk song]]. |
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"Rise Up, Shepherd" was first documented in a short story by [[Ruth McEnery Stuart]] in 1891, where she likely transcribed a song overheard from [[Plantation_complexes_in_the_Southern_United_States|plantation laborers]].<ref name="Fenner">{{cite web |last1=Fenner |first1=Chris |title=Rise up, shepherd, and follow |url=https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/rise-up-shepherd-and-follow |website=Hymnology Archive |access-date=11 November 2023 }}</ref> The song has since become a popular standard for spiritual and [[Christmas music]], having been performed by numerous choirs as well as artists as wide-ranging as [[Odetta]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Odetta – Christmas Spirituals |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/273897-Odetta-Christmas-Spirituals |website=Discogs |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>, [[Pete Seeger]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Pete Seeger – Traditional Christmas Carols |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/699175-Pete-Seeger-Traditional-Christmas-Carols |website=Discogs |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>, [[Mary J. Blige]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Black Nativity - Music From The Motion Picture |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12340979-Various-Black-Nativity-Music-From-The-Motion-Picture |website=Discogs |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>, and [[ |
"Rise Up, Shepherd" was first documented in a short story by [[Ruth McEnery Stuart]] in 1891, where she likely transcribed a song overheard from [[Plantation_complexes_in_the_Southern_United_States|plantation laborers]].<ref name="Fenner">{{cite web |last1=Fenner |first1=Chris |title=Rise up, shepherd, and follow |url=https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/rise-up-shepherd-and-follow |website=Hymnology Archive |access-date=11 November 2023 }}</ref> The song has since become a popular standard for spiritual and [[Christmas music]], having been performed by numerous choirs as well as artists as wide-ranging as [[Odetta]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Odetta – Christmas Spirituals |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/273897-Odetta-Christmas-Spirituals |website=Discogs |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>, [[Pete Seeger]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Pete Seeger – Traditional Christmas Carols |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/699175-Pete-Seeger-Traditional-Christmas-Carols |website=Discogs |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>, [[Mary J. Blige]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Black Nativity - Music From The Motion Picture |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12340979-Various-Black-Nativity-Music-From-The-Motion-Picture |website=Discogs |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>, and [[the Muppets]].<ref>{{cite web |title='Rise Up Shepherd and Follow' lyrics |url=https://www.classical-music.com/articles/rise-up-shepherd-and-follow-lyrics |website=BBC Music Magazine |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The exact origin of "Rise Up, Shepherd" is unknown. Although likely a folk song created and passed down by black laborers in the American South, the song cannot be dated to before [[Reconstruction era|Reconstruction]].<ref name="Hawn">{{cite web |last1=Hawn |first1=C. Michael |title=History of Hymns: 'Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow' |url=https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-rise-up-shepherd-and-follow |website=Discipleship Ministries |publisher=United Methodist Church |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref> At least one source dates the song to 1867<ref name="Studwell">{{cite book |last1=Studwell |first1=William E. |title=The Christmas Carol Reader |date=2012 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781136591457 |page=114 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Christmas_Carol_Reader/CIkD5rhdva0C |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>, highlighting its proximity to the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. |
The exact origin of "Rise Up, Shepherd" is unknown. Although likely a folk song created and passed down by black laborers in the American South, the song cannot be dated to before [[Reconstruction era|Reconstruction]].<ref name="Hawn">{{cite web |last1=Hawn |first1=C. Michael |title=History of Hymns: 'Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow' |url=https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-rise-up-shepherd-and-follow |website=Discipleship Ministries |publisher=United Methodist Church |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref> At least one source dates the song to 1867<ref name="Studwell">{{cite book |last1=Studwell |first1=William E. |title=The Christmas Carol Reader |date=2012 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781136591457 |page=114 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Christmas_Carol_Reader/CIkD5rhdva0C |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>, highlighting its proximity to the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [https://www. |
* [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/christmas-tabernacle-choir/the-concert2021/rise-up-shepherd-and-follow/ Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow]: A performance of the song by [[Audra McDonald]] and the [[Tabernacle Choir]] |
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* [https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-rise-up-shepherd-and-follow History of Hymns: 'Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow']: A history of the song published by the [[United Methodist Church]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 19:19, 11 November 2023
| "Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Released | Unknown; documented to 1891 |
| Genre | Spiritual, hymn |
| Songwriter(s) | Unknown |
"Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow" is a song telling the story of Christmas morning, describing a "star in the East" that will lead to the birthplace of Christ. The title derives from a lyric repeated throughout the song. Depending on how the song is arranged and performed, it is known variously as a spiritual, hymn, carol, gospel song, or folk song.
"Rise Up, Shepherd" was first documented in a short story by Ruth McEnery Stuart in 1891, where she likely transcribed a song overheard from plantation laborers.[1] The song has since become a popular standard for spiritual and Christmas music, having been performed by numerous choirs as well as artists as wide-ranging as Odetta[2], Pete Seeger[3], Mary J. Blige[4], and the Muppets.[5]
History
The exact origin of "Rise Up, Shepherd" is unknown. Although likely a folk song created and passed down by black laborers in the American South, the song cannot be dated to before Reconstruction.[6] At least one source dates the song to 1867[7], highlighting its proximity to the Civil War.
The song first appears in print in 1891. The January–June volume of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine contains a short story titled "Christmas Gifts" by Ruth McEnery Stuart that depicts a scene where black slaves sing for their owner. The song is part of a Christmas celebration on a Louisiana plantation and includes two verses.
Stuart's lyrics employ heavy dialect in imitation of the slaves' speech (such as "foller" for "follow"). The song is untitled in her story, and other publications offered various titles such as "Plantation Christmas Carol."[8] Subsequent publications continued this use of dialect, but over time song books adopted standard English spelling and settled on the common title "Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow."
Kate Douglas Wiggin is the first known source of written music for "Rise Up, Shepherd." The song appeared in Nine Love Songs and a Carol as the aforementioned "Plantation Christmas Carol." Wiggin credits Stuart for the lyrics and notes that the song should be performed in the "fashion of a plantation melody," but it is unknown how much she drew from actual plantation laborers versus her own composition.[1]
Legacy
"Rise Up, Shepherd" has become a popular song in a variety of traditions, appearing in collections of black spirituals, hymns, and Christmas carols. One source states its popularity grew in the 1980s during a revived interest in black spiritual music.[6]
In particular, the song's relationship and probable origin with Civil War–era black Americans has given the song special meaning in the context of black history. For example, it appears in the poet and playwright Langston Hughes' Black Nativity[9], an adaptation of the Nativity story staged with an all-black cast that has played continually since its release in 1961.
External links
- Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow: A performance of the song by Audra McDonald and the Tabernacle Choir
- History of Hymns: 'Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow': A history of the song published by the United Methodist Church
References
- ^ a b Fenner, Chris. "Rise up, shepherd, and follow". Hymnology Archive. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Odetta – Christmas Spirituals". Discogs. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Pete Seeger – Traditional Christmas Carols". Discogs. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Black Nativity - Music From The Motion Picture". Discogs. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "'Rise Up Shepherd and Follow' lyrics". BBC Music Magazine. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ a b Hawn, C. Michael. "History of Hymns: 'Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow'". Discipleship Ministries. United Methodist Church. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ Studwell, William E. (2012). The Christmas Carol Reader. Taylor & Francis. p. 114. ISBN 9781136591457. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ Wiggin, Kate (1896). Nine Love Songs and a Carol. Houghton, Mifflin & Company. p. 54. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ Hughes, Langston (1992). Black Nativity. Woodstock, IL: Dramatic Pub. p. 24. ISBN 0871291924. Retrieved 11 November 2023.