Category: Negro Spirituals

Devotional #2


1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Have you Got Good Religion. Cert’ly Lord
Have you Got Good Religion. Cert’ly Lord
Have you got good Religion.
Cert’ly, Cert’ly, Cert’ly Lord

This is a very upbeat and sure spiritual. The singer not only emphasizes the fact of a difference between good and bad religion, but it also shows a certainty that the singer possesses this good religion.


Have you Got Good Religion. Cert’ly Lord
Have you Got Good Religion. Cert’ly Lord
Have you got good Religion.
Cert’ly, Cert’ly, Cert’ly Lord

One cannot read this spiritual without recognizing the genuine joy that comes from the singer. The singer knows that good religion is possessed and is sure of that possession. When the strength of these facts hits the singer, joy comes forth.


Devotional #1
Good Religion versus Bad


Have you Got Good Religion….Cert’ly Lord
Have you Got Good Religion….Cert’ly Lord
Have you got good Religion.
Cert’ly, Cert’ly, Cert’ly Lord

Implicit in this spiritual is an important point: there is a difference between good and bad religion. The slave knew about bad religion for daily the slave was forced to look upon the master who was practicing bad religion.