The Book of American Negro Spirituals / The Second Book of Negro Spirituals (Two Volumes in One

Edited by James Weldon Johnson
Music by J. Rosamond Johnson | Additional numbers by Lawrence Brown

Author:
Edited with an introduction by James Weldon Johnson
Music by J. Rosamond Johnson
Additional numbers by Lawrence Brown

Publisher + Year:
Viking Press, Eleventh Printing, March 1947 (original copyright 1925)

Format:
Hardcover, no jacket (as issued), protected in Brodart

ISBN:
Not applicable (pre-ISBN era)

This rare 1947 edition brings together two landmark volumes in one extraordinary collection, preserving over 100 spirituals that rose from the deepest soul of African American experience. Edited by literary giant James Weldon Johnson, with stirring arrangements by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson and Lawrence Brown, these spirituals—many born during slavery—embody sorrow, resistance, hope, and profound faith.

From "Go Down, Moses" to "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," each piece is printed with full vocal and piano notation. This is more than a songbook; it is an enduring document of cultural resilience and sacred artistry.

This eleventh printing (March 1947) is in very good vintage condition, with expected age tanning. Protected in a Brodart cover, it retains its original integrity and includes a warm personal inscription—enhancing its emotional resonance and value.

This Two-in-One edition is scarce and increasingly hard to find in this condition. A true collector’s gem and an essential resource for musicians, historians, and cultural preservationists.

📌 Only one available. Will not be restocked.