Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - Present Joys

Recorded in 1942 by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress.

[SamDiMento]

My great-grandmother and her siblings sang sacred harp growing up in 1910s and 1920s Alabama. If any of you are from Alabama, she remembers going down for a competition near modern-day Tallassee and witnessed the construction of Lake Martin being built.

[PLBrayfield]

This kind of singing is done (not 'performed') by groups all over the US, where people come together for a day or a weekend devoted to Sacred Harp singing exclusively. In a day, we often sing 70 or 80 songs in succession, with time out for 'dinner on the grounds' potluck. And yes, we do keep time by moving our hands - not always in 'strange rigid ways' though. Some of us even stamp our feet or tap our toes, would you believe ;)

[ameliabloom]

Absolutely gave me goosebumps. I always wondered what this style was called. I am in love.

[justforever]

Think about what this represented to poor Southern folks back in the depression, and earlier. Their lives were local, monotonous, hard work 16 hours a day. They had no TV or books or plays to distract them, no enjoyment other than the daily minutes they had together with family while eating, before i was off to bed to get up at dawn and start again in the hot sun.
But then on Sunday, the Sabbath, they could take a day off, and come and immerse themselves in something like this....if it seems thrilling to us, imagine what it must be like as part of a dreary life of hard labor in the fields? Must have been incredibly fulfilling for them, even more so than it is for someone like me. No wonder the South is home to the more "exuberant" forms of worship...they weren't willing to sell their morality, but they needed SOME break from their reality, whether black or white. Thus they created exalting forms of worship like Sacred Harp and Gospel, etc. I am proud to be a Vermont (aka "real") Yankee, but I do so love so many things about the South. I would love to travel there someday, visit the Civil War battlefields, see the Deep South and the Mississippi.

[RachaelAnthoney]

It took me way too many Google searches to find this group again, but I'm so glad I have!

[woschaebedip]

A cartoon brought me here and now I'm actually crying

[RRRIBEYE]

*Psalm 98:4*
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise!

[PLBrayfield]

There is no congregation to be a member of, as this is not a church. The singings are to singers somewhat like 'jams' are to musicians. Whoever wants to join in brings their instrument (voice) and sings along. Sometimes a few people come just to listen, but the majority of those attending came to sing. Newcomers are always welcome. There are loaner books, and if you need any help, someone will always oblige. You will also be welcome to the potluck dinner, even if you didn't bring anything.

[PLBrayfield]

Some of the songs in The Sacred Harp actually do go back at least as far as the 18th century. Shape note singing in this style spread from New England through the south and western frontier beginning in pre-Revolutionary times, and is being sung all over the US today by groups who treasure its songs and traditions. You can find hundreds of vids on YouTube by using the search terms, "Sacred Harp singing' or 'shape note singing.' On my channel alone, I have posted over 200 songs. Check it out!

[gabriel_kyne]

I'm always amazed with the way these Alabama Sacred Harp Singers recordings change pitch over the course of a lesson. And those altos...

[schlesmail]

We thank the Lord of heav’n and earth,
Who hath preserved us from our birth.

Chorus:

For present joys, for blessings past,
And for the hope of heav’n at last.

How shall we half our task fulfill?
We thank Thee for Thy mind and will.

(Chorus)

Redeemed us oft from death and dread,
And with Thy gifts our table spread,

(Chorus)

[donnawoods]

i love it. we still do this in our community.

[williamsouthworth]

Still done in Alabama. My choice is Sardis church north of Birmingham. This recording could have been done there, it sounds so similar. Let's hope it never dies.

[MifaMila]

We sing this often in San Diego CA. We sing from Sacred Harp most Sun. 3 to 5 pm in several places. We' been singing here since 1975.

[rockinredneck]

Go listen to the Louvin Brothers sing. They were Sacred Harp from childhood. Their singing style is unique to them in country music.

[dragstripreject]

My great uncle was a sacred harp singer and is from Bonifay- right up the road from Geneva. Our family had a farm south of Geneva in New Hope, Florida (not a town, just a crossroad as you probably know). My sentiments for what you say, exactly.

[janehafker]

Spec we'll all be seeing this group one day.  I'll just bet everyone of them made it in, huh?  Let's hope we will too.  Much harder now, I think, to keep one's eyes on the Prize.   But not impossible, just hang in .
:)

[merryhunt]

This is called shape-note singing, because note-heads change to show you the size of the jump you will be making to sing the next note. "Sacred Harp" was the title of the first (or very early) book of shape-note songs. After that, most shape-note books had "Harmony" in the title - Columbian Harmony, Missouri Harmony, etc. This music had some really great tunes which are still sung today across the country.

[AddicusJ]

I have relatives singing in this amazing quality consedering the time period.

[Hexmeyer]

Yes, it's actually from 1959, in stereo, recorded by Alan Lomax, Jr., not senior.