Michael Row the Boat Ashore predates the Civil War. The history and origins of old Negro spirituals are generally obscure - the slaves didn't usually write things down, and their masters rarely thought slave songs were worth investigating but this song is an exception, since we have enough references to pinpoint the general origin of the song, if not its precise meaning.

"Michael Row the Boat Ashore" is, and brace yourself for a shock here, a rowing song. It was first mentioned in 1863 as a song sung by black slaves in the Georgia Sea Islands.

Like many spirituals, "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" combines religious expression ("hallelujah") with commonplace detail ("row the boat ashore"). Who is Michael and why is he rowing? Michael was rowing from islands to get to the mainland. There are two main theories on who Michael is: First is the theory that Michael was the name of the oarsman from a particular plantation. The more popular theory, however, is that Michael is the archangel Michael, who is being called on to help when the rowing was tough. 

The song's popularity soared in the late 50s and early 60s, due partly to its having been sung by Harry Belafonte, and partly to being so easily singable in large groups.


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