The words that are left to us are not without interest, and, cleared of evident dross, they conceal much of real poetry and meaning beneath conventional theology and unmeaning rhapsody.
Du Bois reflects on the enduring value and hidden artistic merit of the spirituals' lyrics, despite their surface appearance.
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Let the ears of a guilty people tingle with truth, and seventy millions sigh for the righteousness which exalteth nations, in this drear day when human brotherhood is mockery and a snare.
The silently growing assumption of this age is that the probation of races is past, and that the backward races of to-day are of proven inefficiency and not worth the saving.
Our song, our toil, our cheer, and warning have been given to this nation in blood-brotherhood.