Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho Track

Joshua Fit de Battle is one of the best known examples of “Negro Spiritual” music. These were songs created by an enslaved people - African Americans who lived in this land for over 300 years - just about the same length of time that the Hebrew people were enslaved in Egypt. American slaves were forbidden to read or write or to gather in groups.
Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world. Located on the Jordan river, one of the few sources of water in a hot dry land, and on major trade routes, it has been battled over many, many times. If you go to Jericho today you find a barren, high hill overlooking the modern city. This hill, or “tell” is a human, not a natural, landmark. It was created by successive destruction and rebuilding of the city.
Lyrics and chords available from Folk Den Project.