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Much has been written about the Work family of musicians, especially John Wesley Work (1853?-1918), his son John Wesley Work (1872?-1925), and his son John Wesley Work (1901-1967)-the three are now known as Work I, Work II, and Work III. Another of Work Fs sons was Frederick Jerome Work (1878?-1942), about whom less has been written.1 This article shows that Frederick Work deserves recognition as a collector, arranger, and composer, and it examines the possibility that he composed Go Tell It On The Mountain. It also describes a special day in Frederick Work's career, when 400 of "his children" sang spirituals for Albert Einstein.2
The First Generation
Born a slave in Kentucky, Work I learned about music in New Orleans. By 1871, he had moved to Nashville and married Samuella Boyd, daughter of Stephen Boyd- "an ambitions Black man who had bought his wife and children" from their owners prior to the Civil War.3 At Nelson Merry's church, where Work I led the singing, several members of the choir were original Fisk Jubilee Singers. "Work I provided his daughter, Jennie, the opportunity to study pipe organ and music theory at an early age so that she could assist him in the notation of his compositions and the accompaniment of the church choir."4 Although possibly none of these notations has survived, Work Fs legacy extends from his leadership of the choir and the musical home which he and Samuella provided for their children.5
Work II at Fisk University
Work II graduated from Fisk University in Nashville, where he was named class poet as well as valedictorian. He then received his Master of Arts degree from Fisk in 1898 and married Agnes Morris Haynes in the Fisk Memorial Chapel on April 26, 1899. An accomplished singer, Agnes was already employed as "Assistant in Vocal Music and Jubilee Singing" in the Fisk music department.
Near the end of 1899, the president of Fisk University announced that a new company, a successor of the Original Fisk Jubilee Singers, had been formed "under the direction and leadership of Mr. John W. Work, A. M. and Mrs. Agnes M. Work, who are teachers in the University." President Cravath linked the new company's mission to the need for a new building...