Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit

An important historical document as well as an inspirational gift, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit captures the rich connections between song and experience as no other volume does.

For over 200 years in African-American churches throughout the country, gospel and spiritual music have offered solace and been a source of celebration, leaving a mark not only on the Christian world, but on popular music as well. Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit contains the lyrics and music of 101 of the most widely known and cherished of these pieces, ranging from heart-stirring spirituals sung during slave times ("Steal Away"; "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot") to songs of unity from the civil rights movement and contemporary times ("We Shall Overcome"; "I'll Fly Away").

The book also presents a biography of each composer and the history of the evolution of each song, examining the role it played in enabling African-Americans to develop the strength to carry on in the face of adversity.