"Children, today I am going to teach you O DEM GOLDEN SLIPPERS". 

(Sings and teaches them to sing). 

"Not them but dem!" 

"Why?" 

"Its a negro spiritual and must be sung like that." 

"Its so sad, Thatha!" 

"Yes, maganae. 
It echoes the heart and longing of a negro slave
He is yearning for heaven because he will be treated as human being.
He wants to be valued and be equal to everybody else!"

"Why do people make slaves of others? 
We are all God's creation!"

"I don't know!"

My paternal grandfather was a good singer and taught all his grandchildren from his rich repertoire of songs. I remember him teaching us negro spirituals and insisting on their language. This photo prompt reminded me of one of the first songs I/we learnt at his feet!

In its original form, it was a spiritual sung by black slaves to express the hope of freedom and of meeting God. 

Golden Slippers Also known as Oh, Dem Golden Slippers 1879 was a popular song commonly sung by blackface minstrel performers in the late 1800’s. Golden Slippers was written by James Bland, a black songwriter who wrote for minstrel shows. Bland was also the first man to put the 5th string on a banjo. He did very well touring Europe in 1800’s. Bland had much less success touring in the States because blacks weren’t permitted on many stages, unless it was to perform for an all-black audience.

The song’s first stanza tells of setting aside such fine clothes as golden slippers, a long-tailed coat and a white robe for a chariot ride in the morning (presumably to heaven). The song is well-known today as the unofficial theme song of the Philadelphia Mummers Parade.

LYRICS

Oh, my golden slippers am laid away

‘Cause I don’t spect to wear ’em til my wedding day

And my long tailed coat, that I love so well

I will wear up in the chariot in the morn.

And my long white robe that I bought last June

I’m goin’ to get changed ’cause it fits too soon

And the old grey hoss that I used to drive

I will hitch him to the chariot in the morn.

CHORUS:

Oh, dem golden slippers

Oh, dem golden slippers

Golden slippers I’se goin’ to wear

Because they look so neat.

Oh, dem golden slippers

Oh, dem golden slippers

Golden slippers I’se goin’ to wear

To walk the golden street.

Oh, my old banjo hangs on the wall

‘Cause it ain’t been tuned since way last fall

But the darks all say we’ll have a good time

When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.

There’s ol’ brother Ben and his sister, Luce

They will telegraph the news to uncle Bacco Juice

What a great camp meetin’ there will be that day

When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.

So, it’s good-bye, children I will have to go

Where the rain don’t fall and the wind don’t blow

And yer ulster coats, why, you will not need

When you ride up in the chariot in the morn.

But yer golden slippers must be nice and clean

And yer age must be just sweet sixteen

And yer white kid gloves you will have to wear

When you ride up in the chariot in the morn.

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/music/titles_noncopyright.cfm

*(Thatha – grandfather, Maganae – son in Tamil)

*Friday Fictioneers is talented group of enthusiasts penning down a story, a poem, a prose, etc., expressing their heart about a photo prompt, every week. Thanks for this week’s beautiful photo prompt © Sarah Potter