This thesis has investigated slave songs in order to determine how they related to the life of the slave. Songs were examined for examples of discontent with slavery. Slave biographies were read to determine the meaning that the slaves themselves attached to their songs.The songs were classified according to topics. Religious songs were discussed under spirituals and sorrow songs. Slave seculars were divided into three categories -seculars, work songs, and songs of violent resistance. Freedom songs were discussed separately. Examples of each type of song are presented. The contents of the songs are examined for what they reveal about the condition of the slave and the slave's attitudes toward slavery. Slave biographies are used to verify the conclusions gained from the songs.