The Legend and The Song

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

The story of Ichabod Crane captures readers imaginations with a tale of mystery. It is the tale of how Ichabod comes to Sleepy Hollow to be the headmaster of the town's school. He was a gluttonous man, so he took to finding odd jobs to get money to feed his unsatiable appetite. He falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy farmer, and the lands she was to inherit. His one big competitor for her hand was Brom Bones, the local stud. It seems to be a simple story ,but it has a dark undertone of suspicious nature. "The whole neighborhood abounds with local tales, haunted spots, and twilight superstitions" (Irving 1). Those superstitions keep hold in the reader's mind while reading. One of the biggest tales is that of the "Headless Horseman". The tale was mentioned several times through out the story. The retelling of this tale and with the conformation of witnessing the horseman by Brom Bones during a party at the Van Tassel estate is one of significance. For soon after leaving the party, Ichabod was to be chased by the very spirit mentioned! The morning after Ichabod was nowhere to be found. The only remains being his horse, hat and a smashed pumpkin. Soon after his disappearance, Brom made his move. "Brom Bones too, who shortly after his rival's disappearance conducted the blooming Katrina to the altar, was observed to look exceedingly knowing whenever the story of Ichabod was related, and always burst into a hearty laugh at the mention of the pumpkin, which led some to suspect that he knew more about the matter than he chose to tell"(Irving 13). The legend ends on a note that is open to interpretation by the reader. The imagination is free to run wild. Was Ichabod scared off by Brom? Was he taken by something more with a supernatural backround, meaning the headless horseman as the old wives say? That's what makes the story so interesting.

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
This song has a double meaning. On one hand, the home the singers yearn for is the spiritual one. They will meet up with those who have gone before them in the afterlife, hence the phrase "But still I know I'm heavenly bound". On the flip side, the song is talking about escaping the bonds of slavery. They want to be free to go home where they feel they belong. During this period of time, people who were going through hard times (terrible really) were very reliant on their faith to get them through the day. It is a prayer and worship all wrapped into one. Though the slavery of African-Americans is not around in America today, other hardships are still present. Through this song many people still find hope. They will look for deliverance.