Elijah Rock is a 19th-century Negro Spiritual from the time of slavery, based on biblical parables of the old testament. The song symbolizes how spiritual resilience and faith can lead to victory, deliverance, liberation and hope. Musically, most arrangements of Elijah Rock are based on the minor pentatonic scale and involves syncopated rhythms which have fascinated an emergence and performance use of other genres, such as blues and gospel. This particular arrangement begins with a celebratory chant style performed by a soloist or small ensemble and supported by intriguing harmonies, moves into syncopated, contrapuntal rhythms, then ends with forceful energy and triumph.