“Many Thousand Gone” is a traditional, spiritual song originating from African American slaves who toiled on plantation systems prior to the Civil War Era. Slaves had a tradition of curating songs, mainly about work and hope, as a means of lifting their spirits during their tedious labor. “Many Thousand Gone” is one such song which brings hope of a better future by expressing all the sufferings slaves will be freed of once slavery is abolished. For example, the line “No more hundred lash for me. No more, no more” presents an escape from the unjustifiable violence shown to slaves by their landowners. This song was sung at Tod Clifton’s funeral procession in Harlem who died of police brutality against the black race. This spiritual song served to connect the black community at Harlem, who shared the same history despite their differences, in order to seek justice for a common cause. Together, the black community of Harlem marched in memory of Tod Clifton as they sung this empowering song, but rather than freedom from slavery, they sang in hope of freedom from segregation, oppression by whites, and racial injustice.
