Drowning her daughter and then herself seemed to be the only peace that the sorrowful Sarah Anna Shepherd could achieve. Born into slavery on a plantation in Tennessee, she lived a tormented life of despair. Her only joy was her daughter. Which is why it nearly drove her mad when she learned that the mistress of the plantation had trained her own daughter to spy on her. Reporting on Sarah’s most intimate moments and thoughts. Broken, and hopeless Sarah looked to end it all, but as she walked to the river God met her.
Through Aunt Viney, an older enslaved woman, a prophetic cry went out, “Don’t Do it honey,…The Lord would have need of that child.” In tears Sarah relented and with faith that God had His own plans, walked back to the plantation and raised her daughter Ella.
You may have never heard this story, but you have certainly heard her work. Perhaps you’ve sung to your kids, “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” or joined in singing “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”. Songs known as the Spirituals. Ella was an integral part of popularizing these songs, the songs her mother through tears of betrayal and heartache found peace in. Ella’s story continued from that plantation, her freedom was purchased when she was a teen and would seek an education at a Negro University in Nashville called “Fisk Unversity”.
Ella worked hard, excelling at singing and piano and became the first Black teacher at the University and would lead her students to music. Understanding the rich history of these spiritual songs, traveling across north america raising money and introducing many people to a culture they’d only ever seen demonized. Her contribution led not only to songs that are in our hymnals today, but the entire genres of Gospel, R&B, Rock, Jazz and Blues music.
Aunt Viney may not have foreseen any of that when she told Ella’s mother to hold on to God’s plans. But the songs that Ella’s mother sang for comfort and reassurance, echoed Christ’s providence through generations.When you’re at your lowest and just want to give up think of Aunt Viney saying, “Don’t do it, Honey! Don’t you see God’s chariot a-comin’ down from Heaven? Let the chariot of the Lord swing low. This child is gonna stand before kings and queens! The Lord would have need of that child.”