Shape Note Song, 'Nearer, My God, to Thee,'

Some Sacred Harp singers will be aware of the historical rift between singers devoted to the older, more 'primitive' harmonies and forms of American shape note songs dating back to colonial times, and later composers such as Lowell Mason, who promoted newer forms and harmonies more soothing to the ear. This beloved Lowell Mason hymn is in the Cooper revision of The Sacred Harp, but not in the Denson, which shows preference to the older styles and harmonies.

Ratings of this video may reflect this old rift, which, one hopes, will soon be sent to the dustbin on history :)

At the Harrod's Creek Convention, both the 'red book' (Denson) and the 'blue book' (Cooper revision) are used, as well as The Southern Harmony.

The words to this beloved Lowell Mason hymn, which appears in many church hymnals today, are:

Nearer, my God to thee
Nearer to thee;
E'en tho it be a cross
That raiseth me!
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

Tho like a wanderer,
Daylight all gone,
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I'd be
Nearer, my God to Thee,
(Etc)

There let the way appear,
Steps unto heaven,
All that Thou sendest me
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God to Thee
(etc)

Or, if on joyful wing,
Cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon and stars forgot,
Upward I fly,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, My God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

This recording was made at the Harrod's Creek Shape Note Singing in Brownsboro Kentucky, April 2008.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• shape
• note
• Sacred
• Harp
• fasola
• singing
• Kentucky
• Cooper

[guckamohl]

What if in Heaven, there is no emotion and no emotional singing, as many of you think it will be like in Heaven? Won't that be a big surprise? What if Heaven has no human traits of happiness, sadness, vindictiveness, jealousy, and so on. Human emotions. But God may not be any of things the Bible tells us, because the Bible was written by men, their perception of what a God is or should be based on their own culture and traditions of the time much of the Bible was written.

[PLBrayfield]

@guckamohl Be that as it may, singing these old songs can be a beautiful and inspirational experience, and that's why I love to participate and why I post my videos.

[PLBrayfield]

@guckamohl What if, instead of getting into some argument about religious beliefs, we just appreciate this singing for what it is - or, if not, pass it by and go on to something we like better. My songs are posted for those who enjoy this kind of singing, regardless of their beliefs. It is a beautiful kind of traditional singing that many viewers enjoy just for its sounds and what it calls up in themselves. No arguments or justifications are needed beyond that.

[seancoxen]

Both the Denson and Cooper revisions are beautiful. Why exclude one for the other? If you can hear music that helps you see God, what's the difference....

[PLBrayfield]

@seancoxen I couldn't agree more! The spirit of harmony should prevail among us, and there's nothing better than singing together as is done at these all-day singings and conventions, to foster that spirit! Don't look for reasons to disagree and ciriticize, just call a song you love, and EVERYONE SING TOGETHER!

[dono509]

I'm glad you said what you did in your comments. Folks WILL have opinions and preferences. The bottom line is that we are free to organize our singings as we see fit. And folks are free to participate or not.

I have lived long enough to be quite tired of "purists".

[PLBrayfield]

Me too! At most singings I have attended, people respect each other's preferences. If you call a song and lead it, everyone sings, and at whatever tempo you set. It's a valuable exercise in Christian forbearance for some of us who have strong ideas about the songs and how they should be sung! ;)

The anonymous nature of the internet, however, tempts some people to intemperate expressions of opinion, and that tends to provoke others to do the same. I remove such remarks from my sites.

[bluegrassbaby86]

I love it. As far as people fighting about which style to sing, all I can say is that if people would focus on the One they're singing about, they wouldn't have time to fight.

[sarge2906]

This sends chills up my spine! I remember this going to church with my grandmother at Olive Branch Baptist Church in Livingston County, Missouri!

[PhiloAmericana]

Oh, this is very enjoyable. Brings me to peace.

[sid348]

sends the call to my heart back to hamelton holler in missouri. god bless.

[JudahCub1981]

@guckamohl Highly unlikely since of all creation mankind was the only one that was made in God's likeness and image and this is not a physical likeness as some perceive. Every emotion and sentiment that we have He does too. David, a man after God's own heart was quite passionate about God and that's why he was referred to in that manner. He was quite emotional in his worship unto his Heavenly Father.

[dg11306]

@PLBrayfield The music makes me feel nearer to my God. It's quite beautiful.

[dg11306]

@guckamohl What if heaven is exactly what we hope it is and the Bible is the inspired Word - preserved throughout history just as He intended? What if God used fallable man to present his infallable Word so that we might know we all have a purpose and are loved? I for one don't think God gave us emotion as an afterthought. I think we were created to sing His praises, for now and evermore. What a gift it is to simply be aware of yourself and world around you.

[NoDakBees]

This is probably a close representation of what it will be like in Heaven. No artificial man made equipment, just the voices of His creation praising their Creator, Christ, our Lord and Savior, King of Kings and Ruler of ALL.

[atfms]

One of my favorite hymns made even more real by shape note singers.