Three Shape Note Settings, 'On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand'

The words to this song must have special appeal, as the two most-used shape note tunebooks, the 'red book' (Denson) and 'blue book' (Cooper ed.) Sacred Harp books contain, between them, eight different settings. This video brings together a sampling of three of these, 'The Promised Land,' 'Sweet Prospect,' and 'New Jordan.'

Here are the words; the different settings use only selected verses, and some add a refrain.

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand and cast a wishful eye/To Canaan's fair and happy land where my possessions lie./ O the transporting rapturous scene that rises to my sight!/ Sweet fields arrayed in living green and rivers of delight./ O'er all those wide extended plains Shines one eternal day;/There God the son forever reigns and scatters night away./ No chilling winds or poisonous breath Can reach that healthful shore; /Sickness and sorrow, pain and death Are felt and feared no more./Filled with delight my raptured soul Would here no longer stay! /Though Jordan's waves around me roll, Fearless I'd launch away./ (Refrain added in 'The Promised Land': I am bound for the promised land, I am bound for the promised land! Oh who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land!'

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sacred
• Harp
• shape
• note
• fasola
• singing
• Jordan

[ScottishFiddleLesson]

really nice old fashion sounding songs kinda makes you feel like in another time a simpler time when life was less nasty and people where less materialistic

What denomination is this?

this last choon sound perfect for me fiddle i think i will learn it

why is there no music?

it would sound lovely with mabe a flute a lute a fiddle harp

also

do all denominations do this or is it a speciality of paticular ones?

also is this an american thing this kind of singing

and thank you!

[PLBrayfield]

@ScottishFiddleLesson Singers of all faiths and none get together to sing at these events. Most are Protestant Christians of various kinds but some are not religious or are from Jewish or other backgrounds. Very few denominations sing this way in church nowadays. Yes, this is an American traditional kind of music, common in 1800's but now, not at all common. It has its roots in the British Isles from colonial times in America. We do not use instruments (tradition) but we do call it 'music' :)

[ickiepooo]

This is the only kind of singing found in Primitive Baptist Churches. Most are in the South.

[larlovexoxo]

hehe im going to sacred harp singing this afternoon!

[BBiebigheiser]

Very nice! I'm kind of "partial" to "Sweet Prospect" but love them all. :)

[NiDrako]

Thank you for posting this! I like being able to compare the settings.