Mr. Phipps says, "A lot of people don't realize that just about
all Negro spirituals are written on the black notes of the piano (sometimes referred to as the Slave Scale). Probably the most famous on this slave scale was written by John Newton,
who used to be the captain of a slave ship, and many believe he heard
this melody that sounds very much like a West African sorrow chant. And
it has a haunting, haunting plaintive quality to it that reaches past
your arrogance, past your pride, and it speaks to that part of you
that's in bondage. And we feel it. We feel it. It's just one of the most
amazing melodies in all of human history."
Click to expand...