Prison Work Song from The Piano Lesson

In the play, this is Berta Berta, a prison work song the men learned while in Parchman Farm (Penitentiary) in Mississippi. You can hear its roots in the field songs of slaves and in gospel callandresponse, as well as the relation to its distant descendant, rock n roll. Actors: Charles Dutton, Courtney Vance, Carl Gordon, Tommy Hollis. Dir. Lloyd Richards. Afterwards, hear a short clip of a real prison work song.