Thank you so much for uploading this. I grew up hearing this kind of music and it's a great blessing to see it spread to youtube. God bless you sir, God bless you.
This great. I just happen to be doing a class at school on Introduction to American Music. It has a great deal to say on Shape Note Singing. Very interesting.
@queballed Does 'doing a class' mean teaching, or taking, a class? Either way, you could do a lot of good research by browsing the many shape note/Sacred Harp songs posted on YouTube. But you knew that, didn't you? ;)
Ok let me rephrase. I am taking a class. It was very late and I my mind was more than a little numb from a long day. Oh, and yes there seems to be quite a bit of good reference material here.
its beautiful and Id love to be present there, one fine day! try to sing along of course. I live in the Netherlands and we dont know this type of singing here... sadly... all the more excuse to go visit the lovely southern states asap :D
@glorifyyourname You would be most welcome! Sacred Harp singing is done all over the country, though you have to look in the right places. Last weekend I attended the Midwest Sacred Harp Convention in Chicago, for example. Some of the songs in this video were recorded in Goshen, Indiana, near the Michigan border and a long way from the south. Hope to see you at a singing somewhere, someday!
They have Sacred Harp Communities, and they are very welcoming to those who want to learn of this traditional music. It is totally awesome!! I have a video posted on Tim Eriksen who consulted for the Music on Cold Mtn. When they were singing sacred harp. It was a jam session after our convention. Check it out!!!
I think I was watching a PBS preview, or somewhere else, but I just heard this magnificent singing and, sound that I had never heard before. I didn't even know it existed. Lot's of good stuff on youtube.
I can't believe, old as I am and living in the US, that I had never ever even heard of this music style before I stumbled across it on YouTube yesterday.. It's great. I would go to church just to listen to this music.
This is just the COOLEST thing - I have no idea why, but this sort of music has always captured my heart. And I love all kinds of music, but this just speaks to me.
It may be the sense of community, or just the purity of a congregation trying to connect with the Creator, brining the most genuine gift they have to offer - the voice of praise.
I couldn't agree more! I think it's all those things - as well as the powerful words and harmonies, and the traditions that go with the music. Sacred Harp singers all over the country are a sort of 'community' of people who travel to attend each other's singings, share food and fellowship, pray and sing for the sick among them and those deceased in the past year. Singings end with a traditional 'parting hand' song, with everyone extending a hand of fellowship to others around them. Beautiful!
get a group of professional musicians in a room to do this and it sounds like crap. Get a group of rural southerners with no musical experience who just sing to God from their heart, and youll think Christ is coming in the next few minutes.
@jbraly I have no right or capacity based on experience or training to agree with your first sentence. But the clips of this music attest to the truth of the remainder of your comment. Therefore it is my privilege to give you a thumbs up.
I like the words superimposed on the group. I just started singing about 3 months ago with a very small group (5-18 people depending) but we certainly "make a joyful noise"! I love it! I was raised in the Evangelical Covenant Church where my dad, uncle and grandfather were all ordained ministers. We never sang like this in church! Had lots of the Swedish hymns ie "Children of the Heavenly Father" which remain as favorites, but this singing is SWEET! So are your videos. Thanks
I'm teaching a Sunday School series on American sacred music traditions and this week is Sacred Harp. I love singing it and love teaching new people about it. God bless for posting all these sings!
Mr Brayfield, I am a black Pentecostal Briton and I have to say this music is excellent. It sounds very much like old English music; primitive in a sense. And I don't say primitive in a derogatory sense. Mate, this music is class as! I can't stop listening to it. You have a convert. I doubt they have this here in England. If they do, I want to partake!! Praise be to God. There will definitely be a good space in heaven for this music.
Thanks for your apppreciative comment, 'Mate' :) Check out my channel for about 100 Sacred Harp/shape note songs.
You are right in hearing similarities between this music and old English, 'primitive' kinds of harmonies. The ancestry of American shape note singing goes back to English settlers in the American colonies (17th century and later).
As to there being space in heaven for this music, I sometimes feel, at one of these singings, that it's a little bit of heaven on earth.
PL Brayfield. The ancestry of American shape note singing goes much furthe back than to English settlers in the American colonies. I know you want to claim it for America, but it goes back to England/Scottland/Ireland and old Celtic tunes. Much further back than just the American colonies.
Yes, yes, Survus! Of course American colonial culture had its roots in the countries of the colonists' origin. No one is denying that, which is only common sense. You are welcome to add that bit of information to any of my postings if you care to. I hope that you DO enjoy the videos, which is my reason for posting them - not to irritate our cousins across the pond and CERTAINLY NOT to foster a spirit of controversy!
I just wrote a knitting pattern for sacred harp fingerless gloves, and I'm going to use this video as an example of good sacred harp. Thank you SO much for your channel, it's made of win and awesome.
This same type of singing was in the film starring Nicole Kidman..."Cold Mountain." I have always wanted to find an actual group singing like this. Thanks for posting!
Great video from the Michiana singing in Goshen, Indiana July 2007! Leaders are: Joe Todd, 102; Cheryl Foreman, 328; Joan Aldridge and Reba Windom, 542; John Bahler, 28t.
'From the heart' - exactly what I have observed and experienced at shape note singings, even the smaller ones where all the parts are not so well represented as at this Goshen singing. Thank you for this and all your appreciative comments. They make it worth the effort to record and post these videos.
Yes indeed! Sacred Harp is an antidote to a malady our culture now has. We are infected with entertainment-centered gatherings that we dare to call "worship." Sacred Harp is not about entertainment or performance, it is about participation. Beyond that, it satisfies the essence of "spiritual sacrifice" because it takes some effort to learn and to sing. Since God is the only legitimate Spectator in worship, every effort is dedicated to Him.
Yes - it's interesting to see that music that is heavily polyphonic and fugal is possible to be sung by a participatory choir. This is a great musical tradition.
Amen, brother! I share this same insight with my theology classes. This form of worship involves everything we're to give to God: heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Thanks so much for the addition of the sheet music from the Sacred Harp Book and for the words overlaid on the video as well as the better and better audio (which will always be a close second to actually being at a sing)! The refinements in your work shows. My eyes, ears, and heart are grateful.
I appreciate your encouragement. The quality of the audio is something I don't really have much control over - it depends a lot on the room where the singing is taking place, plus the place where I am standing. And this has to be non-intrusive. The room where this singing took place is a really good one for the sound of shape note singing!
This is a great version of 'Fulfilment'. That song needs to be sung with speed and passion.
fightfairfightfair 1 year ago
Thank you so much for uploading this. I grew up hearing this kind of music and it's a great blessing to see it spread to youtube. God bless you sir, God bless you.
JackTheZipper12123 1 year ago
@JackTheZipper12123 You're welcome, and thank you!
PLBrayfield 1 year ago
this is so beautiful :)
tweepixie 1 year ago
This great. I just happen to be doing a class at school on Introduction to American Music. It has a great deal to say on Shape Note Singing. Very interesting.
queballed 1 year ago
@queballed Does 'doing a class' mean teaching, or taking, a class? Either way, you could do a lot of good research by browsing the many shape note/Sacred Harp songs posted on YouTube. But you knew that, didn't you? ;)
PLBrayfield 1 year ago
@PLBrayfield
Ok let me rephrase. I am taking a class. It was very late and I my mind was more than a little numb from a long day. Oh, and yes there seems to be quite a bit of good reference material here.
queballed 1 year ago
Your video was very well done (intros, lyrics, etc). The singing was enthusiastic and stirring. Thanks.
zendt66 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
There is no more beautifully written poetry than that written to the glory of god, as these old songs so easily prove.....
deathbybagpipes 1 year ago
its beautiful and Id love to be present there, one fine day! try to sing along of course. I live in the Netherlands and we dont know this type of singing here... sadly... all the more excuse to go visit the lovely southern states asap :D
thanks for posting!
glorifyyourname 1 year ago
@glorifyyourname You would be most welcome! Sacred Harp singing is done all over the country, though you have to look in the right places. Last weekend I attended the Midwest Sacred Harp Convention in Chicago, for example. Some of the songs in this video were recorded in Goshen, Indiana, near the Michigan border and a long way from the south. Hope to see you at a singing somewhere, someday!
PLBrayfield 1 year ago
This video has the kind of fervent energy that I go to shape-note singings hoping to experience!!!!!!!
ClaireConrad 1 year ago
Hallelujah!
Broadleafe 1 year ago
They have Sacred Harp Communities, and they are very welcoming to those who want to learn of this traditional music. It is totally awesome!! I have a video posted on Tim Eriksen who consulted for the Music on Cold Mtn. When they were singing sacred harp. It was a jam session after our convention. Check it out!!!
girlswithguitars859 1 year ago
I think I was watching a PBS preview, or somewhere else, but I just heard this magnificent singing and, sound that I had never heard before. I didn't even know it existed. Lot's of good stuff on youtube.
MrPotatoesLatkie 2 years ago
I have always loved this music. I would love to go to a place where they sing this
talorjake40 2 years ago
@talorjake40 Where do you live? Google Sacred Harp, there are groups meeting EVERYWHERE!
forensmith 2 years ago
I can't believe, old as I am and living in the US, that I had never ever even heard of this music style before I stumbled across it on YouTube yesterday.. It's great. I would go to church just to listen to this music.
american37 2 years ago 8
I was like you, born and raised in the chrisitan south, and at age 33 I had heard this for the first time and i find it hypnotic
jbraly 2 years ago
2nd song should be number 542 : I'll Seek His blessings #542 in Hymnbook
(numbers transposed)
JudithMatta 2 years ago
Yes, you are right! 'I'll Seek His Blessings' is Sacred Harp 542, for anyone out there who wants to find it. Thanks for the correction.
PLBrayfield 2 years ago
I'm not remotely religious; but this music is some of the most powerful I have ever heard!
GeorgesBarras 2 years ago 3
This is just the COOLEST thing - I have no idea why, but this sort of music has always captured my heart. And I love all kinds of music, but this just speaks to me.
It may be the sense of community, or just the purity of a congregation trying to connect with the Creator, brining the most genuine gift they have to offer - the voice of praise.
GodsFavoriteBassPlyr 2 years ago 2
I couldn't agree more! I think it's all those things - as well as the powerful words and harmonies, and the traditions that go with the music. Sacred Harp singers all over the country are a sort of 'community' of people who travel to attend each other's singings, share food and fellowship, pray and sing for the sick among them and those deceased in the past year. Singings end with a traditional 'parting hand' song, with everyone extending a hand of fellowship to others around them. Beautiful!
PLBrayfield 2 years ago 2
Ill tell you why...
get a group of professional musicians in a room to do this and it sounds like crap. Get a group of rural southerners with no musical experience who just sing to God from their heart, and youll think Christ is coming in the next few minutes.
jbraly 2 years ago 20
Amen,As Picasso said,"Sophistication ruins art".this is the best example in the world.
matt1284508 2 years ago
@jbraly I have no right or capacity based on experience or training to agree with your first sentence. But the clips of this music attest to the truth of the remainder of your comment. Therefore it is my privilege to give you a thumbs up.
libertasdon 1 year ago
I like the words superimposed on the group. I just started singing about 3 months ago with a very small group (5-18 people depending) but we certainly "make a joyful noise"! I love it! I was raised in the Evangelical Covenant Church where my dad, uncle and grandfather were all ordained ministers. We never sang like this in church! Had lots of the Swedish hymns ie "Children of the Heavenly Father" which remain as favorites, but this singing is SWEET! So are your videos. Thanks
dhagberg2000 2 years ago
I'm teaching a Sunday School series on American sacred music traditions and this week is Sacred Harp. I love singing it and love teaching new people about it. God bless for posting all these sings!
NiDrako 2 years ago
Mr Brayfield, I am a black Pentecostal Briton and I have to say this music is excellent. It sounds very much like old English music; primitive in a sense. And I don't say primitive in a derogatory sense. Mate, this music is class as! I can't stop listening to it. You have a convert. I doubt they have this here in England. If they do, I want to partake!! Praise be to God. There will definitely be a good space in heaven for this music.
Louie1984 2 years ago 3
Thanks for your apppreciative comment, 'Mate' :) Check out my channel for about 100 Sacred Harp/shape note songs.
You are right in hearing similarities between this music and old English, 'primitive' kinds of harmonies. The ancestry of American shape note singing goes back to English settlers in the American colonies (17th century and later).
As to there being space in heaven for this music, I sometimes feel, at one of these singings, that it's a little bit of heaven on earth.
PB
PLBrayfield 2 years ago
PL Brayfield. The ancestry of American shape note singing goes much furthe back than to English settlers in the American colonies. I know you want to claim it for America, but it goes back to England/Scottland/Ireland and old Celtic tunes. Much further back than just the American colonies.
ServusGrueziHallo 2 years ago
Yes, yes, Survus! Of course American colonial culture had its roots in the countries of the colonists' origin. No one is denying that, which is only common sense. You are welcome to add that bit of information to any of my postings if you care to. I hope that you DO enjoy the videos, which is my reason for posting them - not to irritate our cousins across the pond and CERTAINLY NOT to foster a spirit of controversy!
PLBrayfield 2 years ago
I just wrote a knitting pattern for sacred harp fingerless gloves, and I'm going to use this video as an example of good sacred harp. Thank you SO much for your channel, it's made of win and awesome.
HookSilverSparrow 3 years ago 2
Well, I don't knit so I can't image what such a pattern might be, but if it's like Sacred Harp singing, it should be warm and wonderful ;)
Thanks for your appreciative comment. It's always great to know that my videos are reaching someone who enjoys them.
PLBrayfield 3 years ago
I think it's great that everyone can partake. I mean one doesn't have to be a great singer so even someone like me could join in...
Thanks PB. I get great enjoyment out of your videos.
chase82 3 years ago 2
This same type of singing was in the film starring Nicole Kidman..."Cold Mountain." I have always wanted to find an actual group singing like this. Thanks for posting!
pattywolford 3 years ago 2
Great video from the Michiana singing in Goshen, Indiana July 2007! Leaders are: Joe Todd, 102; Cheryl Foreman, 328; Joan Aldridge and Reba Windom, 542; John Bahler, 28t.
mudws 3 years ago
That makes me want to turn it up as loud as it can go and sing at the top of my voice.
bluegrassbaby86 3 years ago 5
Wow this is excellent...driving hard-hitting rhythms sung from the heart!!....:) Karen
karenscott3 4 years ago
'From the heart' - exactly what I have observed and experienced at shape note singings, even the smaller ones where all the parts are not so well represented as at this Goshen singing. Thank you for this and all your appreciative comments. They make it worth the effort to record and post these videos.
PLBrayfield 4 years ago
Yes indeed! Sacred Harp is an antidote to a malady our culture now has. We are infected with entertainment-centered gatherings that we dare to call "worship." Sacred Harp is not about entertainment or performance, it is about participation. Beyond that, it satisfies the essence of "spiritual sacrifice" because it takes some effort to learn and to sing. Since God is the only legitimate Spectator in worship, every effort is dedicated to Him.
AmosPressley 3 years ago 4
Yes - it's interesting to see that music that is heavily polyphonic and fugal is possible to be sung by a participatory choir. This is a great musical tradition.
connectwired 3 years ago 3
Amen, brother! I share this same insight with my theology classes. This form of worship involves everything we're to give to God: heart, mind, soul, and strength.
85mello07 3 years ago
Thanks so much for the addition of the sheet music from the Sacred Harp Book and for the words overlaid on the video as well as the better and better audio (which will always be a close second to actually being at a sing)! The refinements in your work shows. My eyes, ears, and heart are grateful.
knottynaz 4 years ago 2
I appreciate your encouragement. The quality of the audio is something I don't really have much control over - it depends a lot on the room where the singing is taking place, plus the place where I am standing. And this has to be non-intrusive. The room where this singing took place is a really good one for the sound of shape note singing!
PLBrayfield 4 years ago