Get Happy is a term used in the African American Gospel Music tradition, that refers to the experience of receiving the Holy Spirit during a Church service, usually involving ecstatic singing, or during prayer, or spontaneously. An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Gospel music may refer either to the religious music that first came out of African-American churches in the 1930s or, more loosely, to both black gospel music and to the religious music composed and sung by white southern Christian artists. ... In various religions, most notably Trinitarian Christianity, the Holy Spirit (also called the Holy Ghost; in Hebrew רוח הקודש Ruah haqodesh) is the third Person of the Holy Trinity. ... Religious ecstasy is a trance-like state characterized by expanded mental and spiritual awareness and is frequently accompanied by visions, hallucinations, and physical euphoria. ... Maria Magdalene in prayer. ...

Accounts of nineteenth century African American slave spirituality use the term, as recorded in the book "God Struck Me Dead, Voices of Ex-Slaves"

All of my people were great Christians. Shouting, singing, praying, and good old heartfelt religion make up the things that filled their lives. [...] Aunt Charlotte used to cry most all the time when she got happy. - an ex-slave preacher, in "God Struck Me Dead", page 75.

One of the early nineteenth century traditional ' Negro Spirituals' to use the phrase, is the following: A spiritual is an African American song, usually with a Christian religious text. ...

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY

Good morning everybody

Good morning everybody, Lord

My soul got happy this morning

My soul got happy this morning, Lord

You may call me “hypocrite member”

You may call me “hypocrite member”, Lord

But my soul got happy, this morning

But my soul got happy this morning, Lord

I’m going to see my mother

I’m going to see my mother, Lord

Going to sit down by my Jesus

Going to sit down by my Jesus, Lord.

([1])

Further info

For other examples of such gospel music see the following:

"Say Amen Somebody" featuring Thomas A. Dorsey on DVD video

"Greatest Gospel Hits" by Shirley Caesar

Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 - January 23, 1993) is known as the Father of Gospel Music, and is best known today for his composition Take My Hand, Precious Lord. As formulated by Dorsey, gospel music combines Christian praise with the rhythms of jazz and the blues. ... Shirley Caesar (b. ...

References

• "God Struck Me Dead, Voices of Ex-Slaves" by Clifton H. Johnson ISBN 0829809457

Other uses

"Get Happy" was a popular tune drawing on this tradition, with words by Theodore Koehler and music by Harold Arlen. It was performed by Ruth Etting, Nat Shilkret, and Frankie Trumbauer in 1930, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland in 1950, Frankie Laine in 1951, and Ella Fitzgerald, Jane Froman and Susan Hayward in 1952. Harold Arlen, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1960 Harold Arlen (February 15, 1905 - April 23, 1986) was an American composer of popular music. ... Ruth Etting (November 23, 1896 – September 24, 1978) was an American singing star of the 1930s, who had over sixty hit recordings. ... Frankie (Tram) Trumbauer (1901–1956) was one of the leading jazz saxophonists of the 1920s and 1930s. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Francis Albert Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer who is one of the highest acclaimed male popular song vocalists of all time. ... Judy Garland (June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969), born Frances Ethel Gumm, was an American film actress considered by many to be one of the greatest singing stars of Hollywoods Golden Era of musical film. ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Early Years collection features some of Laines Mercury recordings. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as Lady Ella (the First Lady of Song), was an American singer, considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th Century. ... Susan Hayward Susan Hayward (June 30, 1917 – March 14, 1975) was an American actress. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Get Happy!! is also the title of an album by the musician Elvis Costello, possibly inspired by the Gospel music use of the term, but not containing any Gospel music per se. Fourth Album by Elvis Costello. ... Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus, aka Elvis Costello. ...