Old Regular Baptists - "I am a Poor Pilgrim of Sorrow"

[peterlongan]

This sounds a lot like the ancient Slavic folk harvest songs.

[SlouchingPoet]

I remember hearing this song at a funeral when I was seven years old. That lined-out singing scared the hell out of me. It's a shame Pentecostal Evangelicals have come to dominate Christianity with it's tambourine banging and fake miracles.

[TheLincoln1980]

These are called 'Old 100's" Slaves would sing these....they are still sung today in the black church.

[The218Native]

THIS KINDA SONG REMINDS OF ME "OH BROTHER WHER ART THOU" AND "PUBLIC ENEMIES" LOVE THESE KINDA SONGS !!!

[HerculesTAK]

@broman86 Really? Did you notice the religous symbolism throughout the film? Who in survives the "fatal" wound in the back of the head in the Bible? How many points did his wound have? Who saves his "human" side? I think you should take a look at the film from a different angle. No offense brother. Just offering my opinion. This is a film you have to read between the lines. Cheers mate.

[katie13574]

This is truly abeautiful song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the songs of the old regular baptist are inspirational, spiritual, and also are very deeply meaningful songs!!!!!!!!!!! They speak to the listener about life, and death, and the most important part we shouldn't forget is JESUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[YankyTheWolf]

@broman86 well where is the "Faster" movie edition??

[yio9]

omg!! im mexican, my english its poor, but ii dont nedd understand... that songs its so beatiful!!! the best song ive heard in my life!!!!

[Iddybud]

Inspirational! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Arti4D]

just amazing

[taskforcedelta]

lol absolutely

[Pblatzz]

The origins are not from Africa... They are Scottish. Search under "psalming out scotland"

[TheAnn2shoes]

Amazing - and similar to 'psalming out' in the outer Hebrides (Scotland)£. They say the immigrants brought that kind of worship with them to the USA.

[MegaUndertaker76]

I was exposed to this as a kid here in east-central Indiana. It was "lost" as area churches started to act like they wished this type of singing would just "go away". Since I became a fan of Ralph Stanley, I now have been "re-acquainted" with this stuff. I "hear" pain and sorrow" in this. Death, living a hard life in Appalachia etc. This stuff is AWESOME !!

[logtype47]

Deep and electrifying. The emotional weight in this music is beyond words.

[chrisgates68]

What else could sound so good then this music.. I miss my grandparents so much. I have heard these songs so manytimes at Pilgram rest old regular church at price KY.. Proud grandson of Woodrow and Monnie Dye of printer KY..

[squidgetpj92]

O.o i remember singing this in chorus in eighth grade wow

[jleedy21]

This music is still the norm for the Old Regulars back in Eastern Kentucky my childhood home in Floyd County. So many memories as I listen to this music.

[TrilliumLady2]

This is the music that I knew when I was a tiny child. The first time I listened to this CD I wept like a baby. It was like water on dry ground -- or for a thirsty soul -- but I hadn't realized that I was thirsty. I hope the Smithsonian does a 3rd CD.

[Aar0n91]

So many great memories and so many sad ones. I haven't been in such a long time. I miss this, I need to start going again. You can hear/feel the sorrow in their voices but at the same time such happiness.

[Jibjab863]

It is Beautiful;however, there are still churches and believers who are carrying the torch for our Savior. Like most of the commenter, I grew up in the United Baptist Church but am a member of the Old Regulars today here in Central Florida. We still line our songs here and carry on with the orders of the Baptist church just like our grandparents. Sure there are some "Beachy Baptist" in our congregation; however, you have that anywhere.

[nazipunisher]

Beautiful, God how i love this.

[asknezevich]

i cry my eyes out listening to this music i was raised listening to this i really miss my grandma goldie

[helmuthoorn]

And agaiin the simple folk have the most profound spirituality

[kreendurron]

wow.....

[ElJibaroBravo]

How have I been unaware of this type of music for so long?!

Shut off your radios! THIS is amazing!!!

[barretpaige14]

@ElJibaroBravo what type of music is it? i want more!

[ElJibaroBravo]

@barretpaige14 Preacher, Alistair Begg once said he heard this kind of music in his church as a boy. So we know this music goes back at least to Scotland & was probably carried over here by immigrants moving to Appalachia. If you listen to the song on Oh Brother Where Art Thou when the black gentlemen are digging a grave for Everett, Pete & Delmar; they are singing this style. Some scholars believe that this style was concurrent w/ western African songs during slavery so there was a crossover.

[ken145]

@ElJibaroBravo its origins came from Africa not Scotland it came from slaves 

[tommyrobinette]

@ken145 It came from Scotland. I've listened to this music in the local churches my entire life. I've listened to my family and friends sing it. I have family living in Scotland, And friends that visit from Scotland on a reguler basis. Most of the people who settled Eastern Kentucky (which borders W Virginia and Virginia)were from Scotland and Ireland. They wanted freedom of religion, Freedom from taxes(So they could continue making whiskey), And a land they could call their own.

[tommyrobinette]

@barretpaige14 If you want more search *Old Regular Baptist* They been singing this is Eastern Kentucky, Virginia churches for generations..

[monalisany]

@ElJibaroBravo I can so very much relate.

[GaryPucket]

Gaelic psalms meets the 'songs of the fields' sung by the slaves.I dont want to offend anybody but thats exactly what this pilgrim song sounds like to me.

[nursedeserter]

there is nothing like hearing ORB singers from a distance ,

it will draw you in like magnet. no matter what you have to get closer to the sound.

[KyHazard]

@nursedeserter I agree. I grew up listening to the old songs being "lined" and there is a place in my heart for them. I love the old way.

[1RPB1]

@nursedeserter So true, I recall many an Association 45 or 50 years ago where I'd take a nap outside while listening to the singing, it's the most relaxing sound in the world to me, and how may of my relatives spent their last moments on this earth with other relatives and/or members singing with them at their bedside.

[73ad]

I'm a Holiness Pentecostal but there is nothing like Old Regular Baptist singing. I love it!

[rtguy23]

I gave it 5 stars!!! It was not what I was expecting at all!!!!!!

[dremamyers]

I grew up in Old Regular Baptist Church. My Dad still sings these songs. I love them.

[iokmember]

my grandpa was an old regular baptist preacher his name was bro melvin watts has any one heard of him he passed away in 1996

[wayncony]

WOW SilentSepiua.. I could be you! I am actually an Irish American Orthodox Christian who loves this music as well.. but I am from NY state.. real yankee blood here..I also see the similarities in the music

[boxer3100]

as a child i attended church there in linesfork, i believe letcher co./ we traveled from cumberland in harlan ky. at lot of my relatives attended church their , shephardes, halcombs and others. it was the best experience of my life even though i did not realize it at the time. the members of this church are pure of heart and are hard working hoinest people. the singing is from the heart. bless the special brothers and sisters of the lord

[ChefGroovy2]

Just went to my grandmothers funeral in pike county kentucky. She was old baptist (family has been since the mid 1800's) and they sang this song, I think, and seveal others. was really fitting.

Wasn't a dry eye in the church.

Also, I don't know if all Old Baptists have the same preaching style, but seems like they mention the names and point to people in the congregation as they go. Maybe just to make sure they are still awake lol Its cool tho

[vanchi233]

whoa! may she rest in peace! and this song? wow!!!!

[robanddean1]

I was brought up in the old Primitive Baptist Church in SW Virginia. Oh how this brings back memories. I stayed in teh church until my seperation from my wife and was promptly turned out. But I still love the doctrine and singing. My Redeemer knows my heart and man has no power over Him !

[bawireman]

Wow, I can feel the Holy Spirit in my house while I'm listening to this. God Bless.

[electricman1951]

Beautiful.

No other words  than beautiful and wounderful.

[horvath85]

I agree with EverythingZen, it carries many of the same antiphonal and tonal characteristics of Byzantine sounds. And even though it is evidently emotive, it still resounds with a more sober base in the soul. Incredibly BA

[SilentSepia]

This is SO powerful!...as I wrote EverythingZen...as a native of Southern Appalachia, having some Celt in my lineage...and being an Orthodox Christian...this is SO familiar...I am so much at home listening to this!...it is a trip to times past...and reflects possibly a 'collective memory' in the chanting and singing of hymns within Christendom...a sound to ancient Christianity.

[EverythingZen14]

This reminds me a lot of byzantine chant with a Celtic twist.

[SilentSepia]

As a native of Eastern Kentucky, as an Orthodox Christian and having some Celt in my bloodlines...I SO agree with your alls observations on the Byzantine and Celtic feel to this...another direction, too...have you listened to the Christian chants out of Georgia and Armenia...those in the Caucacus have a sound similar to these Old Regular Baptist hymns...of which I dearly love...and the people...if I had such Faith.

[EverythingZen14]

The hymnography out of Georgia is some of my favorite. I adore 'Thou art the Vine" and the Cherubic Hymn. You are right, that there is a striking similarity between sound of religious Christian singing from the Caucasus and the Old Regular Baptists' sound.

[98SLABRIDER]

its pain with a promise in the end. thanks for the post.

[ivycompton]

that's a beautiful comment, 98slabrider.

[vanchi233]

this is real deal!!!!!!!!!!!! Yall folk in the baptist church should continue cultivating this tradition.... This is a real connection to the other side!!!!

[ivycompton]

ooh - killer song in the regular baptist mode. raw, primal, intense stuff whether you're interested in religion or not. thanks for posting.

[raedeeohed]

Thanks for posting this. What a haunting song...

[raedeeohed]

Thanks for posting this!