Cold Mountain- I'm Going Home

[StonewallJackson26]

Faith is strength.

Fear is weakness.

[johnnyvandal1]

@westbychris  mathew 5:22, But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause [fn] shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.

[pdxrooster2000]

for those who have ears to listen and eyes to see- judge not lest ye be judged the Koran has 15 chapters on Jesus! the Muslims honor and respect him as a martyr and prophet just not the son of god! Didn't Jesus say "let ye who is without sin cast the first stone"? how about love thy neighbor? or how about just COEXIST!!!!! WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS!!!!

[HaggenPagan26]

I am Not very religious. But this song is stirring.

[bikes4life1000]

This song is so beautiful!!

[PsychadelicElephant]

I fucking hate religion but I love this song and the movie, really great,

[purbrookian]

@PsychadelicElephant Agree - too bad this marvellous music wastes its beauty in such useless buildings as churches.

[PsychadelicElephant]

right on!

[wombatweatheraxe1952]

This is an example of shaped note singing, developed in the 1600s in reaction against the Puritan doctrine on no music. The hymnal from that era is still in use today. Shaped note singing, sometimes called, "sacred harp singing," has endured for centuries and is kept alive in the South and Appalachian Mountains. Ergo, this is not modern Christian music but a very old other worldly sound.

[mh605]

@wombatweatheraxe1952 This is not quite accurate. This kind of community singing arose in colonial New England as a way to get people to sing better in the churches. In 1803, shaped notes were invented as a method of sight-singing. This method was used in many books. Still later, B.F. White published "The Sacred Harp" in 1842, and from the tradition that he created sprang all-day singing conventions.

[mh605]

@wombatweatheraxe1952 To continue my comment, The Sacred Harp has never been out of print; it has been updated in new editions every few years. When a new edition comes out, new songs are always added and some unused ones are taken out. So even though the book and the tradition contain some old songs, they contain new songs as well, written in that style. "I'm Going Home" was written by L.P. Breedlove in 1850.

[missrubyray]

oh lord this is not the version ik .....

[americanus1]

amen amen amen

[sicklytits888]

i can listen to this all day long!

[LolaGabanna]

What an assault on the eardrums that was

[seekingsnavely]

I LOVE the polyphonic sound that shape note music offers!! This is one of MOST favorites!!

I'm leaving out any comment on faith... I have mine and thats enough for me... I just wanted to say how BEAUTIFUL this is!!!

Cheers!

[HappyMaiar]

I am Russian, of orthodox faith. When I heard Cold Mountain Sacred Harp sing it, I was moved to tears. There must some real anointing from the heavenlies, as well as in the words, that translates it into strong emotion. Praise God for uniting people from such different spiritual backgrounds in Christ oneness. Many Thanks !

[ThomasHale]

@HappyMaiar Greetings from Alabama, I'm a reformed Baptist. I'm glad that I live in Alabama where this music has been kept alive more than any other place. I love taking part in the music of my roots, and making videos of them as well. My church doesn't sing this music, but I know of many other churches that do.

[ThomasHale]

@HappyMaiar I am not sure what you believe in, but I hope that Christ is your Master and Savior. If he is not, read the Bible, and start by reading Romans ,all of it. If he is, Read the Bible, and start by reading Romans anyway. XD

[PipG1rl]

I am muslim and I think it is really nice, I could sing it too for God

[kittybumble]

pawns "Jesus is my bf" modern church music!!!

[davidks83]

@kittybumble So true! This music is so much more sincere than the mainstream Christian music.

[ZackAttack261]

I wanna go to that church

[DarkHorseDream]

it sounds a thousand times better in the movie. this choir sounds like a bunch of indians howling lol

i LOVE this song tho!

[PsychadelicElephant]

moron same ppl singin in the movie.....

[mh605]

@DarkHorseDream This is the version from the movie.

[StonewallJackson26]

Very uplifting! It makes me feel better.

[lovinpeas]

my fave song on the soundrack

[erenowlovexX]

nice solfege in the beginning! really cool, really authentic. very nice :)

[Shepard9000]

Atheist here. This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard.

[TexianPride]

@Shepard9000 Traditional Christian music is beautifull and is meant to touch all, not just those who believe.

Glad you enjoy the song :)

[TheLucystewart]

if u think its great on youtube u should be sitting in church when they sing it.... gives u goose bumps!!!

[Magdalenkaization]

Very beautiful!

[seekingsnavely]

I LOVE how you can hear them keeping the beat with their feet very faintly in the background!!

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SHAPE NOTE SONGS EVER!!! I would want this sung at my funeral....to me, its THAT poignant!!!

[smashleyoak09]

amazing

[fairman1952]

Originally, it seems that Satan's body was a musical instrument. No wonder music is such a powerful tool to lull the weak minded into false teaching and wrong thinking. Vibrations control our brains. There really such a thing as "bad vibes".

[thebestYaeger]

@fairman1952

Wrong again!!

[ToeIn2194]

@fairman1952 Yikes! How do you get that darkness from such great,joyous singing. Not a touch of subterfuge /darkness or guile. Pure,glorious gospel.

[tthomaselli2]

@westbychris

Take off what blinders?

[KgMusic90]

@westbychris @purbrookian

The Message has nothing to do with religion this type of music is seen as a way to an end, it is sung for being sung...not in a religious context, nor in a way of warning of imminent death, but rather as a way of building community. You don't have to be devoutly Christian, or worship the flying spaghetti monster to sing this music...you just need and want to make music.

[theblacksheep1000]

I have been looking forever for this song ever since i watched the movie THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

[purbrookian]

Fine singing. Too bad the message clings to the myth of an afterlife.

[mrsticks28]

This makes me feel in touch with my Lord... And whoever wrote substitute "muslims" and "72 virgins" is truly a flaming idiot. These lyrics don't advocate homicide bombing as a way to get to heaven. I hope to live many more years, but should that not happen, I am ready to meet my maker. Hope you can say the same, or do you feel you'll just be a clot of dust, moldering away with no hope of salvation.

[Felinafullstop]

@mrsticks28 and leaving the word christian in, which I am, doesn't mean that some of us promote book burnings either...or witch trials....or what other atrocities has our own religion partaken in? Oh yeah tons...please don't be a hypocrite ...it's not what God would want of you or would want you to say in his name....

not every christian killed a witch......who was innocent

and not every muslim bombed a building....filled with innocents

just think about that...

hard

[craigpsimpson]

@mrsticks28 I have no belief in a deity whatsoever, however, I can appreciate the quality and sentiment behind this music - and all good music.

[Rcksaltnnails]

@craigpsimpson For those that do not beleive, no explination will do. For those that do believe, no explination is needed.

Not a knock or a put down, just one mans humble way of "proof" so to say.

You are correct though, music is a universal way, and I would never look down at a person who doesnt believe, and I hope they do not look down at me because I do believe. I just like knowing I can share a love an appreciation of good music with a fellow man.

[MilitantQuaker]

Beautiful. Amazing. Love shape note.

I've never felt as free when I sing shape note. The stresses of ordinary choral singing melt away. I'm not worried about the technique that gives me some anxiety in a choral setting. It's the closest my soul can get to pure expression

[TomStephensEdit]

Im not Christian, nor even listened to any songs like this.

But this song really captivated the unity in the film, and it is cool to listen to

[mbarrans]

@mammers11...look foolish? you've already taken that spot. i'll just chalk it up to ignorance on your part. too bad, you're quite witty and i think i'd actually enjoy talking to you if it wasn't for that. Meh.

[mbarrans]

@mammers11 don't know whether to laugh or cry at your ignorance.  hrmmm...since debates about faith are not something i get into, i'll just give you the benefit of the doubt and pity your ignorance. Maybe just hum the tune to yourself a few times and don't take life so fricking seriously. Oh, and try not to put Christians and suicide bombers in the same room. Polar opposites, dude. Take it down a notch, maybe? It's a song.

[mammers11]

@mbarrans

No, please don't cry. And I'm ignorant of...what, exactly? As far as taking things too seriously, which one of us is getting weepy over someone having disparaged song lyrics? That the tune is pretty is the first thing I posted. And would that no one was ever in the same room as a suicide bomber...Of course you don't debate faith, you might run the risk of looking foolish on a youtube comment section. Oh, wait...

[mbarrans]

@mammers wow...i'm glad i don't have to go through life with your skewed point of view. this is a song sung from the perspective that when it's our time, it's our time and we can't wait to be home with our Lord one day. All of this on earth is nothing compared to the glory of being with our Savior when HE so chooses to take us home. It's sad to read that folks like you not only don't have that hope, but have such tunnel-vision when it comes to faith and death.

[mammers11]

@mbarrans I think we both know which one of us has tunnel-vision when it comes to faith and death, not to mention a "skewed point of view." Case in point: look at what you just posted! Your lack of honest self-criticism is typical of the religious.

[carlrs15]

@mbarrans

Or, perhaps we just want to enjoy the beautiful music without having to listen to your half-baked pontificating.

[mbarrans]

@carlrs15 *smooch* this is old news, darling.  listen away.

[mbarrans]

PS. And nice use of your Big Word o' The Day.

[NormbrettaMod]

@mbarrans

you're entitled to your faith. faith, at the end of the day, is hope and helps us when sided with reason too. saying your faith is truth and all others with different faiths are blind or evil is pathetic...

[mammers11]

What a pretty tune, in spite of the deplorable message of its lyrics.

[khanders]

@mammers11 Deplorable message? That being I'm ready to deal with life beyond what I know here? Sacred Harp is a style of singing hymns with only voices. It is Christian music. If you don't understand this in the essence of what this music means, you just don't get it.

[mammers11]

@khanders Don't get butt-hurt. I've already complimented the tune, or can't you read? And yes, the message is deplorable. It's death-lusting garbage. Substitute the words "Muslims" and "72 Virgins" for "Christians" and "New Jerusalem" and it could be a suicide-bombers' anthem.

[mh605]

@mammers11 Well, that definitely is the most out-there take on Sacred Harp that I've ever seen. Not a criticism, only an observation.

[mammers11]

@mh605 Oh hey, it's been awhile since I heard from the Cold Mountain soundtrack people. But seriously, the commentary on this page is generally pious and dull. With some neo-Confederate piffle thrown in here and there...All I can say is, if one is incapable of simultaneously appreciating beautiful music while at the same time criticizing sinister lyrics, then one has no culture.

[StonewallJackson26]

To really understand why this song is especially relevant to this movie, has to do with the fact that it takes place in North Carolina. NC suffered horribly in the war. Only New York suffered more KIA's than NC, but NY had a vast population with new immigrants coming in every day.

North Carolina units tended to be brave and reckless and suffered horribly at places like Antietam, Chancellorsville and of course Gettysburg. At Gettysburg for example the 26th North Carolina lost 890 of 1100 men.

[greenpeach20]

@StonewallJackson26 It's a miracle they had any men left :(

[ItNice26]

@StonewallJackson26 You are very correct sir.

For instance on July 4, after the battle of Gettysburg. G Company of the 26th North Carolina took roll call. And out of 180 men. Only 2 men were present. One was a wounded Sergeant who was taking roll, while leaning on a crutch. And the other was a Corporal lying on a stretcher who had been knocked unconscious, by a shell fragment, the previous day.

[DeuceMP2]

@StonewallJackson26 you know, I'm a minority first generation Latino, with immigrant parents. And I can't say that I agree with what some of the Confederacy stood for, namely slavery and the preservation of it. But I'm also in the U.S. army and fought in Iraq and Afghanistan and what you said about the men of NC is true, I recognize and salute bravery when I see it.

[StonewallJackson26]

@DeuceMP2 As do I. NC was actually one of the last states to secede and only did so when they were forced to choose sides. NC, VA and TN were all three border states, and many counties within those states still had strong Union sentiment. But being caught in the middle of a civil conflict forced them to choose.

Going to toe to to with the US Government deserves and demands respect.

[mattnaturally]

@StonewallJackson26 I remember hearing shape note when I was really little....sounds like home...also SJ26, I would agree, but is a very Southern and mountain thing to do (standing up to authority of any kind) that sort of rugged individualism is bred several generations deep...and, sadly many are preparing for it again.

[mattnaturally]

@DeuceMP2 in fairness it wasn't just slavery, the war was more about states rights which has been removed almost completely since the war. Many who fought (including my ancestors) had no slaves (some estimates place the number at 80% slave-less combatants) Either way, thank you for serving, my brother and I both did as well but not in Iraq, God bless everything you did for your (our) country.

[dixiewasp]

@DeuceMP2 , man , we were invaded . that's the reason

we fought . as for slavery , the latino people owned african

slaves longer than the south did , the indians died to fast.

as for indians , the aztec sacraficed more slaves than

the south ever owned.

[DeuceMP2]

@dixiewasp you were "invaded" because you sought to break away. If a city sought to break away from a state through armed force would you think that was okay? Latinos owned slaves longer then anyone? You're talking to a history major bro, havent heard that one yet. If you mean the Spanish, those are Europeans, not latinos. Yeah Aztecs did kill slaves, what does that have to do with America? The Aztec empire collapsed 300 years before the civil war. I dont see the connection.

[DurhamRebel]

@DeuceMP2 hey youd fight too if folks came down to your home and started burning the place up and killing the citizens

[DeuceMP2]

@DurhamRebel The south began fighting way before the burning and killing of southern areas.

[DurhamRebel]

@DeuceMP2 well yeah. im saying alot of men would have fought just to protect their land and people

[NormbrettaMod]

@DurhamRebel

The US was there land and Northerners their people. The Government can't just let people decide if they want to be in a country or not.

[DurhamRebel]

@NormbrettaMod no, we'd a bunch of little countries if we did. but if times get bad enough i can see how people would want to leave the union. you know what i mean?

[marley8098]

@DurhamRebel actually, they dont have a choice, its in the makeup of this country. If a state wishes to leave, there are ways to legally succeed, which would have happened if Lincoln didnt start the war. its up to you to decide if it was a good choice, we both need each other back then and maybe a little now still, but you can keep your nascar.

[NormbrettaMod]

@DurhamRebel

I suppose. The only thing about that that I'd be against is the slavery. I know that wouldn't happen today though.

[Schlachthof5]

Mdebacle thank you for posting the lyrics. Every time I play this I sing along loudly and it makes me feel good!

[Grisbi6]

Wow! I was raised on dreadful ponderous church hymns and endless sermons,  and I couldn't wait to grow up so I didn't have to go to church any more. If a church nearby would sing songs like this, I would be a regular church-goer!

[mh605]

@Grisbi6 see fasola.org to find singings near you. Anyone can attend. Free admission; no registration necessary.

[Tuckerx78]

imagine how this song couldve been used to recruit soliders for the Crusades

[mh605]

@Tuckerx78 A bit late, since the song was written in 1850.

[Tuckerx78]

@mh605 but IMAGINE. the middle east is the homeland of christianity. if this song were around then, it'd be like, the top hit of the 12th century!

[mh605]

@Tuckerx78 Haha! Maybe so.

[StonewallJackson26]

I really get quite emotional whenever I hear this. My grandfather sang this song everyday of his illness, all the way up until his death. He was a WW11 and Korean War Veteran that never feared death one day of his life. He was a man of awesome faith who truly believed that he was going home.

If my Grandfather left any message behind it would be to NEVER fear death and to have faith. But under no circumstances should we ever fear our earthly deaths.

[1RPB1]

I recall leading this when I was about 4 or 5 years old :)

(That would be over 50 years ago)

Still love it.

[soontobemrsjg]

I was blessed enough to go to a Sacred Harp singing at Liberty Church, right after this was recorded there. God was in that house and in their voices. I have never heard anything more beautiful. Their voices are their instruments, and the harmony is breath-taking. They still have singings at Liberty a few times a year, and I would love to go back.

[ItNice26]

Gorgeous music. This is the way all men should live. DO NOT FEAR DEATH, EMBRACE IT and die with dignity and honor. Have faith!!!!!!!!

[deeden76]

i'm not a Christian, but this is beautiful music

[0secretusername0]

THANK YOU whoever wrote this song, the meaning doesn't go unheard!!!

[stix2507]

I love this song. Sacred Harp is truly beautiful and unique.

[pitchwhiteawi]

i vehemently dislike modern Christian music. i favor this.

[bananas1and2]

@pitchwhiteawi Me too, on both counts.

[SpaceToasterTV]

This gives me goosebumps, it's just beautiful.

[slaytheinfidels]

Why have douchey Christian Rock and Christian Metal when stuff like this would probably be a more successful method of spreading your message as Christians? And I say this as a lapsed Christian myself.

[matt1284508]

Amen!

[RoosterTheKid]

@slaytheinfidels I agree God dont want to hear thrashing around on a guitar or any other instrament . God give us a voice and he wants to hear us sing not instraments. It dont matter if you can sing well or not, God wants to hear the voice he created. When you sing acapella praises to God he is pleased to hear from you.

[ranchnman]

@RoosterTheKid AMEN, brother.

[FlashLightKnifeFight]

@RoosterTheKid First of who said gods a he? I'm a male but thats just some pure example of church brainwashing over the ages, Secondly God gave us the ability to create instruments and the sounds the produce, so logically vocal and instrumental tributes to "god" are of equall importance, don't belittle someone elses idea of beauty and tribute.

[RoosterTheKid]

@FlashLightKnifeFight well the bible tell us that God is a he. Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

him means male, so the bible tells us that God is a he.

Amos 5: 23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

Viols is an instrament, he made this command before he closed out the old testament.

[fairman1952]

A piece of true America. AWESOME.

[2906Sarge]

This song touches me every time I listen to it! Thanks

[ysquare21]

wow what a beautiful way to sing

[91euph]

i love sacred harp singing. i just discovered is about a year, and i introduced it to my church, now our youth choir sings sacred harp all the time!

[Reyrocksall]

we're singing this in choir for my school... not sure i can sing it like this though...

[19thepyrochilibean]

GHAHhahahahahaha xDDD

[ClickParker]

The tradition is still alive. Look for a Sacred Harp singing in your area. Alternatively, look for a Primitive Baptist church and contact them to find out when and where there will be a singing school. You can learn from scratch. Especially if you don't mind sitting in with the preschool class for a day or two.

[Sonoraman]

Also, if you have any ties or connections with the Amish (in any part of the country) you will often hear this style of shape note singing still practiced. Or, you can find an old-timey Free Will Baptist or Pentecostal church and hear it for yourself. Totally cool musical style!

[divegirlhks77]

i was wondering if anyone know where to find the words to this song.

[laughinglauraSMILE]

just type into google "i'm going home cold mountain lyrics."

[Lucifer66776]

there basically singing they don't want to fight in the war any more.

[WestieBabee]

how?

cos in the movie they sing this before the war starts.

and then they get interrupted with the news.

[Mdebacle]

@Lucifer66776

[..they don't want to fight.]

They probably are not afraid of a fight,

but have concluded we'll all spend a lot more time in the next world than in this one.

[goldenslipper508]

this is a great song but i like cant understand what theyre saying very well. sorry if tht offended anyone

[Mdebacle]

Farewell, vain world! I'm going home! My savior smiles and bids me come, And I don't care to stay here long! Sweet angels beckon me away, To sing God's praise in endless day, And I don't care to stay here long! Right up yonder, Christians, away up yonder, O, yes my Lord, for I don't care to stay here long. I'm glad that I am born to die, From grief and woe my soul shall fly, And I don't care to stay here long! Bright angels shall convey me home, Away to New Jerusalem, And I don't

[murphyclm]

I'm singing along. Thanks for the lyrics, sure makes my day. Amen! I'm ready for Christ's return anytime.

[Mdebacle]

GeorgeGee has posted a short clip from the movie as they sing and are interrupted.

I wish they had more time to sing.

[TiminChch]

this will be my funeral song also

[MultiAfan]

This a great song.

[elspetrelli]

i love this song. it makes me want to cry though - remembering the scene, and how happy they were that they got their war.

[khybor]

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! I've been desperately trying to find this anyone online! My itunes gets messed up when I try to order.

thank you!

[everhopeful89]

I find this song so touching and so beautiful. When I die, I want this to play at my funeral.

[duongjoseph]

Me too

[mcrbshoe]

me too.

[missoldfashioned]

signing notes is a lost art...i wish somehow it could get revived because it takes a true ear for music to sing this sort of music...

[mrsbeagle67]

love the movie

[EverettMcGill80]

Just celestial... Great... Great movie too...

[helmuthoorn]

This echos centuries of persecution, oppression and poverty, but also undying hope, faith and spirituality.

GLORY !

[betonfrikadelle]

perfect 5/5

[mrghs2008]

Our college Concert Choir is actually using this piece on our tour this year! Thanks for posting it!

[fiddler9635]

What are they saying at the beginning?

[grace954]

They are "singing the notes". Sacred Harp is also called shape note. In this song there are four shapes which correspond to the notes of the scale. In this tradition they first sing through by the names of the shapes -- fa, so, la, mi.

[SoBelleofTN]

How interesting , thank you for explaining about the shape notes.

[knules2]

@grace954 so thats what they're singing at first the first minute i'm sittin here like what i was so confused  thanks for explaining

[zomgzwtfbbq]

thanks so much for posting this, i love it so much, so much