The song may well be about the Angel of the Lord. Even if he/she/it existed, which I don't debate here, the pictures would still be of an awfully tasteless sub-teenagerish standard; this is the kind of propaganda that has kept people dumb for ages. The singing, however, is beautiful; thanks for posting.
I couldn't care about the pictures, that sound sends a wall of thunder straight through me. I was raised in an Evangelical church and I have two music degrees yet when I hear this, I hear something incredible because these are uneducated people able to sing in fugal patterns and not for themselves but for God. I heard this for the first time last year, and I've been shocked ever since. This is the first time in my life that I have truly felt called home. There is something powerful here.
I happen to like both Sacred Harp music and the choice of pictures. I thought it was fascinating. Representations of angels are _complicated_ and you did a good job of showing that.
@ahobler You're right. Great song. That doesn't change the fact that the pictures are terrible. Christians have been behind the times on aesthetic beauty since the Renaissance.
Ms. Dalton, I'm sure if we took a survey at one of the weekly singings, they'd agree. Frankly, I wouldn't have chosen the pictures either had I been the one to make this video. But everyone connects with the Sacred Harp in a different way, and so long as it's in keeping with the Biblical message, I think it's not for us to say that what a man sees in his mind as the imagery inspired by the lyrics is wrong.
Though, again for the record, I would have preferred to see the singers singing instead.
@29vjGKfg783Gownc Absolutely, no moral judgement implied, just curious how this song brings to mind a seductive woman lying on a cloud in front of two angels. I love this song but when that picture came up I drew back for a moment before laughing.
The song may well be about the Angel of the Lord. Even if he/she/it existed, which I don't debate here, the pictures would still be of an awfully tasteless sub-teenagerish standard; this is the kind of propaganda that has kept people dumb for ages. The singing, however, is beautiful; thanks for posting.
YossarianHB 2 months ago
I couldn't care about the pictures, that sound sends a wall of thunder straight through me. I was raised in an Evangelical church and I have two music degrees yet when I hear this, I hear something incredible because these are uneducated people able to sing in fugal patterns and not for themselves but for God. I heard this for the first time last year, and I've been shocked ever since. This is the first time in my life that I have truly felt called home. There is something powerful here.
TheKvaitke 3 months ago
Love this most inspirational music that sings out the spirit of our Lord and I love the pictures too.
Hwillijonl 1 year ago
i love sacred harp music. im in a sacred harp group at my school and we are a very small group o when i hear these versions i get truly blown away.
powerofiandi 1 year ago
2 people weren't watching their sheep.
KE5HOB 1 year ago
Just heard this in my Historical Traditions 1 class. Love it.
rebirthoftheflesh 2 years ago
Thank you for posting this song I learned about it school when I took music history classes and it always stuck with me the voices are so beautiful.
NicaBoy81 2 years ago
This is a Lomax recording from Fife, AL 1959?
You can get this song on the Lomax Xmas songs cd or the Sacred Harp Convention cd on Rounder.
I can't believe you put Leda and the Swan in there as an angel.
LindaGriggs 2 years ago
i like to listen to sacred harp with my eyes closed :(
jayseanNO9 2 years ago
I love listening to Sacred Harp period! Hah, but yes with eyes closed is the best. This is hos I wish Christmas Caroling would be!
silasreade 2 years ago
Merry Christmas!!!!!!!! This is a Christmas song
genegroom 3 years ago
I happen to like both Sacred Harp music and the choice of pictures. I thought it was fascinating. Representations of angels are _complicated_ and you did a good job of showing that.
Camptorhynchus 3 years ago 3
Ok for those who 'hate the pictures': the song is about the Angel of the Lord...Sacred Harp is not about the people, it's about the songs
ahobler 3 years ago 3
@ahobler You're right. Great song. That doesn't change the fact that the pictures are terrible. Christians have been behind the times on aesthetic beauty since the Renaissance.
teddy5549 1 year ago
Yeah, who in the heck came up with these pictures? They don't GO with Sacred Harp at all!!!
Myraluvsmusic 3 years ago
Ms. Dalton, I'm sure if we took a survey at one of the weekly singings, they'd agree. Frankly, I wouldn't have chosen the pictures either had I been the one to make this video. But everyone connects with the Sacred Harp in a different way, and so long as it's in keeping with the Biblical message, I think it's not for us to say that what a man sees in his mind as the imagery inspired by the lyrics is wrong.
Though, again for the record, I would have preferred to see the singers singing instead.
29vjGKfg783Gownc 3 years ago
@29vjGKfg783Gownc Absolutely, no moral judgement implied, just curious how this song brings to mind a seductive woman lying on a cloud in front of two angels. I love this song but when that picture came up I drew back for a moment before laughing.
teddy5549 1 year ago
i like the music. i hate the pictures.
kosimpson 3 years ago 5
Agreed!
Reelaiah 3 years ago