BLUES ROOTS - ROCK n' ROLL -The term "Rock n' Roll" was originally a nautical term which has been used by sailors for centuries. It refers to the rock (fore and aft motion) and roll (sideways motion) of a ship. The expression can be found in English literature going back to the 1600's, always referring to boats and ships. The term entered black spiritual music in the 1800's, but with a religious meaning, and was first used as such in a recording in 1912, in an early black Gospel recording called The Camp Meeting Jubilee on the Little Wonder Record label. The artists were listed simply as Male Quartette. The lyrics went like so:

Keep on rockin' an' roll me in yo' arms,
Rock an' roll me in yo' arms,
Rock an' roll me in yo' arms,

Now, here is where Rock n' Roll music came from. Before 1947, the only people who talked much about "rocking" were black Gospel singers. They were rocking their souls in the bosom of Abraham, and singing Rock me Jesus, and Rock me in the Cradle of Thy Love, and Rock me Lord.

The term "rocking" in Gospel music also referred to the powerful rhythm found in that music, especially by the 1940's. With such leading artists as Louie Jordan and Wynonie Harris, black secular musicians were using the term for either dancing or sex, or both. Have Mercy!!