I am from Sand Mountain in Alabama. I grew up surrounded by Sacred Harp music and went to singing schools in the summers. Some years back I was sad to think this beloved art form from my childhood might die out. Thank you so much to everyone across the globe who has recognized the beauty of sacred harp and are keeping it alive.
Stumbled across this recording not long after my boss and mentor died unexpectedly of an aggressive cancer. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sing it without falling apart emotionally.
I fall apart regularly at singing. Sometimes the words of a song that you have sung a hundred times just hit you, like a punch in the face, and set you off. It's so "full on" emotionally.
Sublime. Vicky, you are a generous leader. On my 50th birthday Judy Hauff stood in the center of the square with me at a San Francisco convention. She led Granville while I just cried.
Remember, Lord, our mortal state; How frail our lives! how short the date! Where is the man that draws his breath, Safe from disease, secure from death? Lord, while we see whole nations die, Our flesh and sense repine and cry; Must death forever rage and reign? Or hast Thou made mankind in vain?
Most of these singers were new to the tradition, and keen to keep time properly. Typically one or two on a bench will keep time and others maintain it less conspicuously.
I am from Sand Mountain in Alabama. I grew up surrounded by Sacred Harp music and went to singing schools in the summers. Some years back I was sad to think this beloved art form from my childhood might die out. Thank you so much to everyone across the globe who has recognized the beauty of sacred harp and are keeping it alive.
Stumbled across this recording not long after my boss and mentor died unexpectedly of an aggressive cancer.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sing it without falling apart emotionally.
I fall apart regularly at singing. Sometimes the words of a song that you have sung a hundred times just hit you, like a punch in the face, and set you off. It's so "full on" emotionally.
Sublime. Vicky, you are a generous leader. On my 50th birthday Judy Hauff stood in the center of the square with me at a San Francisco convention. She led Granville while I just cried.
Thrilling!
Beautiful alto line in this tune.
The composer sang alto in those days and believed they deserved a good line.
Marriage of text and tune here is unparalleled.
Remember, Lord, our mortal state;
How frail our lives! how short the date!
Where is the man that draws his breath,
Safe from disease, secure from death?
Lord, while we see whole nations die,
Our flesh and sense repine and cry;
Must death forever rage and reign?
Or hast Thou made mankind in vain?
Thank u
Beautiful!! 💖
New to shape noting, does the arm working of everyone control the tempo?
That's the hope
Actually the leader sets the tempo; the participatory arm movements help everybody keep to it.
Most of these singers were new to the tradition, and keen to keep time properly. Typically one or two on a bench will keep time and others maintain it less conspicuously.