Jacob's Ladder? What does it mean?

This is an old African-American Spiritual. Many of these songs were, on the surface, religious songs. But many times they were used as "code" in helping slaves escaping their owners, sometimes via the underground railroad. I don't know for certain, but this one could have been a signal involving an actual ladder and/or the approaching Union Army. Maybe even "climb up the ladder" and join the Union Army. There are many books and web articles on the subject.

 

First, it's every RUNG goes higher, higher. And although Debby is quite correct about the possible second meaning, the first meaning also correlates to Jacob's struggles with the Lord. In the oldest story I know about this song, the fact that the dream of the ladder takes place while Jacob is fleeing the deception he took part in regarding his birth blessing was adopted by the early slaves as a parallel to being kidnapped from their own country and brought to the colonies as slaves. But it was also seen as the way they learned about Christ and that the ladder was the upward climb, via struggles and hardships, to become closer to Him. In other words, they adopted elements of the biblical story to themselves, even though the original meaning was not quite the same.

Whether or not it was also used as a code song during the days of the Underground Railroad, the way "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" was, I don't know -- but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was. Many of the slaves were forbidden to talk during their work in the fields, but the overseers found that if the slaves were allowed to sing, their work output increased. Therefore gospel songs were allowed, but the slaves also put many of them to another use as code songs for various goings on, usually regarding organized escape attempts.

 

It is useful in that almost everyone knows the tune, and one can make up many verses and/or other lyrics to it as the situation requires. To use it "as is" is probably not the best choice of songs when there are so many others with more meaningful lyrics. Just my opinion.

 

No, I do not see a value for it and I do not think it should be sung, especially by children, and this is why: This is one of those songs that made me think you had to do things to please God to get to heaven. This is one of the few songs I recall singing. Climbing a ladder is hard work! A child would see this as a works oriented message. They will not appreciate the more subtle meanings (if there are any).

I rejected Christianity around age 16, clearly believing that Christianity was just another feeble way to try to please some God out there who was keeping track of our mistakes. (I am a believer now, just to clarify!)

 

I still like

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
Coming for to carry me home...
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.

 

Folks,

is there anybody here who can direct this cross-eyed chap to a site where one can download sacred hymns sheet and the music file, for free ?
i'd much prefer the fasola shape note type of music, but otherwise the regular shapes will be just as good.
i'm looking for songs like What Wondrous Love is This, the ninety and nine, hallelujah what a savior, beneath the cross of jesus and the likes.
thanks for whatever help.

 

Another 'spiritual' type song I used to hear (on a secular station that had a 'gospel' program on Sundays):

I'm climbing up...
on the rough side...
of the mountain.
And I 'm doing
my best - to make it in"

I guess this is supposed to be talking about enduring the hardships in life until we enter the Kingdom. But I used to hear this when I was a new Christian (and heavily influenced by works-oriented groups like Armstronigism) so it really sounds like working your way into Heaven (through the hardships of life).