'Holy Spirit, Faithful Guide' (Sacred harp 510, 'Corley')

Illinois State Sacred Harp Convention, Taylorville, September 2006

Category:

Music

Tags:

• shapenote
• singing
• fasola
• Sacred
• Harp
• Holy
• Spirit
• Corley
• Traditional

[PLBrayfield]

There's a lot more one could add, and perhaps others will want to fill in or correct my remarks. You can learn more including postings regarding upcoming singings and conventions by searching the web for 'Sacred Harp' or 'shape note singing'. You can see/hear more songs being sung by searching youtube with the above terms.

[PLBrayfield]

Singers have organized groups in many places. Local groups may organize all-day singings and/or singing conventions (2 days) with potluck 'dinner on the grounds'provided by the host group. These are typically open to all comers, who spend the day(s) calling & singing songs together. New singers are welcome to sit among the others and join in. Experienced singers are glad to help learners

[PLBrayfield]

(continuing)Except for a few areas in the south, the music is not sung as part of a worship service. True, most of the songs have Christian sacred lyrics but singings are not sectarian events. Personally, I have never asked, nor been asked, my religious views, but have felt welcomed at any singing event I attended without regard to my reasons for participating. (cont)

[PLBrayfield]

(continuing)Many if not most Sacred Harp singers know how to lead in the simple, traditional way. Customarily at a singing, singers who choose to may call a tune, then stand in the middle and lead it. Groups singing together are not 'choirs,' nor do they traditionally 'perform' for audiences. They get together to sing for their own enjoyment and as an act of devotion. (to be continued)

[PLBrayfield]

'Glad' (not 'blad'!) to continue :) The traditional way to sing this unaccompanied music is to arrange singers in a 'hollow square,' singers grouped so that one of the 4 parts is seated on each of the 4 sides, the leader standing in the hollow center. (to be continued)

[PLBrayfield]

Blad to oblige! 'The Sacred Harp' is the name of an American tunebook that has been in print continuously since 1844. Some say that the 'sacred harp' referred to is the human voice. The tunes are notated using shape notes for the tones of the scale (fa, sol, la, mi) under this 4-shape system invented America to enable the untutored in music to learn to sing 'by note, not rote.' (I will continue in another comment, since YouTube limits the length of each comment.)

[Cizzam]

Do you mind explaining what Sacred Harp singing is?

It would be very much appreciated!

[PLBrayfield]

Always glad to have appreciative viewers! If you search using the term 'shape note' you will find a variety of interesting related postings with songs from other shape note traditions (African-american, New England, Cooper book, Southern Harmony, Missouri Harmony)- all with something special to contribute to the American tradition of shape-note singing. Enjoy!

[sayuri3]

Wow, just a few months ago I couldn't find any vids about Sacred Harp music. Thanks so much for posting.