I have often been utterly astonished, since I came to the north, to find persons who could speak of the singing, among slaves, as evidence of their contentment and happiness. It is impossible to conceive of a greater mistake.
Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy.
At least, such is my experience. Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave Postea quam ad septentrionalia pervenerim, omnino et saepissime miratus sum eos qui cantum servorum dicant gaudii signum et laetitiae, quo nullus error concipi potest maior. Mihi saltem videtur, saepe enim cecini ut dolorem minuam, raro ut gaudium exprimam.