Sung in New Norfolk, Tasmania with my wife, sister and brother-in-law. We had a few tries at this one, as you can see if you click on the video response!

This song predates the American Civil War. Although the origins of the Negro spirituals are generally obscure, quite a lot is known about the history of "Michael." Historians of spirituals classify it as both a spiritual and a work song, and some argue that it is actually a sea shanty.

It was first mentioned in 1863 as a song sung by black slaves in the Georgia Sea Islands. Pete Seeger, in "The Incompleat Folksinger", mentions that slaves brought from Africa spent their lives on these small islands, out of touch with mainland life. "The only transportation was small boats and strong arms to row them," he writes. The boat crews from different plantations would have their own exclusive rowing song.

There are two main theories on who Michael is. One is that Michael was the name of the oarsman from a particular plantation. More likely is that it refers to the archangel Michael, who is called on to help when the rowing is tough.

Some early recordings of the song were by Bob Gibson (1957), The Weavers and The Highwaymen, who had a number-one hit with it under the title of "Michael" (1961). Other popular versions included Lonnie Donegan (1961), Harry Belafonte (1962), Pete Seeger (1963) and Trini Lopez (1964).

You can see a playlist of my gospel songs here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5444D35A2AD94845

For lyrics and chords of my songs, please see my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com