Composer

:

Stephen Foster

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:59

"Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" is a traditional African American spiritual that has been performed and recorded by numerous artists over the years. However, the most famous version of the song was composed by Stephen Foster, who is known as the "father of American music." Foster was a prolific songwriter who wrote many popular songs in the mid-19th century, including "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," and "My Old Kentucky Home." Foster's version of "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" was composed in 1862, during the Civil War. The song was first published in 1867, after Foster's death, and it quickly became a popular spiritual that was performed by African American choirs and singers. The song has since been recorded by many artists, including Paul Robeson, Mahalia Jackson, and Odetta. The song is typically performed in a slow, mournful tempo, and it features a simple melody that is repeated throughout the song. The lyrics of the song express the feelings of loneliness and despair that are often experienced by people who have been separated from their families and loved ones. The song's title refers to the feeling of being abandoned or orphaned, and the lyrics describe the pain and sorrow that come with this experience. The song is typically performed in a minor key, which gives it a melancholy and haunting quality. The melody is simple and repetitive, with a descending pattern that adds to the sense of sadness and loss. The song is typically performed with a slow, steady tempo, which allows the singer to convey the emotions of the lyrics. Overall, "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" is a powerful and moving spiritual that has resonated with audiences for generations. Its simple melody and poignant lyrics have made it a classic of the African American spiritual tradition, and it continues to be performed and recorded by artists around the world.

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