I've sung some Sacred Harp, very little, but today I attended my first workshop and discovered I was born to sing this music. I'm versatile, and have sung all types of liturgical and church music, but this music is deep within the soul and I was totally astounded by the richness of the sound.
i know a lot of the folks in that video and have sung with them, know those songs... and this trailer still brought tears & chills. can't wait to watch the movie!
Only the most dejected and miserable would dismiss this gorgeous music, as if Mahler and Beethoven and Brahms were the last word! I traveled to venues throughout the world for operas and symphonies, and I enjoy this right alongside these sublimities. I agree with the gentlelmen who said "I felt like I had received salvation when I heard this." Folks, just keep on doing what your doing.
It is Stratfield (# 142) in the Sacred Harp Hymnal. Words are by Isaac Watts (1719) and the music is by Ezra Goff (1786). The full song can be heard during the title sequence of "Awake, My Soul".It is available for purchase at awakemysoul(dot)com.
Soul-cleansing music anointed by Holy Spirit - American "chant" from early believers, and still pure. With Orthodox hymns, these melodies would carry real depth of His Faith! God grant it!! From Documentary well worth seeing!
The hardest thing about Sacred Harp is explaining it to people that do not know, especially if they are in love with their assumptions. The expression on the man's face at 1:45 sums it up!
Carinalillthkell...without Chant we wouldn't have this beautiful sacred harp music! Both musical forms are truly the works of God's creation for his praise. I'm currently studying both chant and shape notes and I am blessed to have them both.
I just watched this film and I must say it was great. Really informative about a American traditional that is often ignored by the popular media. Excellent job!
You know, this is big in Yankeeland as well. It's going to Europe now as well. Let's hope it doesn't get TOO big, lest the big money folks try and weasel in. Who wants to go to a sing "Sponsored by GEICO"? Not me.
I've never heard of this kind of singing before even though my people were from the Smoky Mountains and I've belonged to the Presbyterian Church for years!
Yes I first heard it when I listened to the soundtrack of Cold Mountain as-well. I was standing in a CD Shop with earphones on. When "I'm Going Home" came on my mouth fell open, and as it progressed I actually began to physically shake and tears welled-up. I'd never heard anything like it before and I was totally floored by the power and beauty. I skipped straight through to Idumea and was once-again overcome by powerful unexplained emotion.
It is Stratfield (# 142) in the Sacred Harp Hymnal. Words are by Isaac Watts (1719) and the music is by Ezra Goff (1786). The full song can be heard during the title sequence of "Awake, My Soul".
Just saw the video with my Mother (73) who grew up in Georgia. We were amazed that we have never heard it in our many years in the Baptist Church. Any singers in SC?
This weekend was my FIRST SACRED HARP SINGING! Boy, I am stoked. This is the real stuff. How in the WORLD did we ever let the christian recording industry take over as we have? What have we lost? Now worship in many churches is is pop in a CD and flash the words on the wall. How sad.
Indescribable. It really is a mysteriously powerful thing... the power that God put into the human voice, magnified as it creates that thing we call harmony. I don't know if I am crying more because I am overwhelmed, or because we were complicit in the crime as the Christian Entertainment Industry killed it, along with other types of hymnbook singing. Don't miss the shot that sums up the whole experience at 1:45. His expression says it all. There are simply no words.
Also, there is also a very strong concentration of Sacred Harp singers using the Cooper revision in the area around Hoboken, GA, East of Waycross. Raymond Hamrick, the older singer pictured in the clip above, is a past President of the South Georgia Sacred Harp Convention. He lives in Macon and is the most prominent living Middle Georgia Sacred Harp singer, with several songs in the Sacred Harp tunebook.
WOW! Thank you for posting this! I was just listening to my "in sweetest union join" C.D and happened to look this up! WOW! Many (uneducated and perhaps unappreciative) :-) people refer to it as "hollerin'" but I (as well as many...MANY others) KNOW it to be beautiful!!! AMAZING!! -AK
Looks fascinating. I picked up the 'Goodbye Babylon' box set here in the UK and I'm hooked on the raw intensity and joy of the various Sacred Harp Singers. It's an intensely personal music, there's nothing between you and the singers, and it strikes you hard - in a good way. Hope to see this doc sometime.
If by the second song you mean the non-instrumental and last song, it is Stratfield L.M. It is # 142 in the Sacred Harp Hymnal. Words are by Isaac Watts (1719) and the song is by Ezra Goff (1786).
i was BLOWN AWAY by that church song in LAWLESS -- the foot washing scene. So I did some googling and found out it is called Sacred Harp music... you should see LAWLESS (awesome movie!) if only just to see that scene. I'm so bummed that track is not on the movie soundtrack. "A wall of sound" is the perfect description of the song in LAWLESS. Powerful. Amazing.
There is and has been Sacred Harp singing in Middle and South Georgia, though it remains more popular in North Georgia, West Georgia, and the area around Atlanta. The South Georgia Sacred Harp Convention encompassed the area from Macon on down to Albany and once held as many as 26 annual singings. These days 13 of the singings are still held every year.
I have bought this DCD/CD collection twice. And twice I have misplaced them. Is there any way at all I can purchase a third time but this time just download it? I no longer have nor keep a DVD/CD player.
I'm not sure of other names for that song, but on the sound track to "Cold Mountain" it is listed as Iduma, it has the same lyrics as another track called "am I born to die"
I get the same "feeling" from singing any kind of music in karaoke, singing is singing. If you feel a song in your heart, sing it! So what if the notes/pitch is off, it's more important you sing what you feel. :)
It's so very beautiful and powerful, though just plain ordinary voices coming together. Anyone with a voice and no training can join in, no need for a religious dogma, just a love of music.
I'm in New Zealand and am unable to get the dvd without paying a lot for shipping and waiting a long time, does anyone know where to download a torrent for it or where to stream it? I have looked but am unable to find anything
I really like Sacred Harp Singing, even though I'm not a believer. But I think that the earliest music in America was by the native Americans. Anyway, I really love Idumea who's played in the beginning :)
@salolialawidisgi - There is S.H. Singing on 2nd Sunday of the month in Cincinnati and 4th Sunday of the month in Dayton. Just 'Google' each and you'll find directions.
Hello I'm an Episcopal priest from Mexico. Would you please send me some info about these wonderful people? What is Sacred Harp?, is it a choir, a religious denomination, or a cultural association?, please tell me... Bless You!
MadZenos, Perhaps the sound quality is not the best. The experience of being there in person is just about overwhelming. Try searching for and listen to Blue Highway Wonderous Love and see if you like that.
Yes. It is available for purchase from the Sacred Harp Publishing Co. Here's their website: originalsacredharp(dot)com/ For $15 you get around 600 songs. Quite a deal!
I'm a traditional Roman Catholic, and even I can find beauty in this, even though it has roots in Cromwellian England among Puritans. Love to join an ensemble myself sometime.
Somebody could still make a documentary and put in the story of African-American sacred harp. No one short movie can include everything. But I agree that it would be a good thing if this one had included something about African-American shape note singing, Dewey Williams, and others.
The Sacred Harp music sung by "unschooled rural Southerners" was not the earliest music of America (it actually came to the South from New England and there was other earlier music, such as th-cam.com/video/1JtD_YpyXYU/w-d-xo.html), nor was it the music of all America, nor all Americans, but it is uplifting and fascinating.
I enjoy this! I am a music teacher grades k-8 and I do a Shape Note Singing Unit Every fall as part of our Appalachian Culture Celebration. I was introduced to this tradition during my music History courses in college. I believe it is important to pass on the tradition to our youngsters. Does anyone know where I can find the movie? If you are interested in learning more about this, check out my shape note singing powerpoint lesson at teacherspayteachers Rachael Lewis
@boscogump Yup. Same with me. I admire this music because it's the opposite of Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber. There's no commercial potential in it whatsoever. It's simply sincere music straight from the heart, and you needn't believe in a Big Man Up in the Sky Judging Sins to appreciate that.
1.) Lyrical (A cappella) only…singing. 2.) Cantata (Lyrical and instrumental)…singing with accompaniment. 3.) Instrumental only…no singing. That’s it. There are only three different kinds of music in the world regardless of history, culture, country, or genre. All music falls within these three kinds. The New Testament only mentions and references one of these kinds as used by Christians in this life in worship or praise to God. Regardless of our preferences, traditions, pop culture, family, friends, culture, justifications, emotions, or what matters to us or not...what is our standard to be that God gave us? Is what God gave us lacking or needing improvement and if so, for whom? We will all be judged by His words according to John 12:48 not by anyone among us today or to come. I never told you what was mentioned or referenced as the only kind of music used in the New Testament for Christian praise or worship. But I encourage people to read it for themselves and find a congregation of people that practices and believes in the same or encourage your own to do the same. There is a standard for all and there is where you will find true Biblical unity if that is desired.
bless your sweet heart. God reads your words, so He might be visiting you in ways you don't understand. And yes, yur right, it probably won't be in the satanic mess which has become "The 'church'" just saying, let him who has ears, hear.
Hahahahahaa....of course, Amazing Grace was published and popularized in America through the Shape Note Hymnals. Really, most of the "traditional" American songs in the hymnals are shape note tunes that have been printed as regular music.
I am overcome with emotion when I hear this singing.
I've sung some Sacred Harp, very little, but today I attended my first workshop and discovered I was born to sing this music. I'm versatile, and have sung all types of liturgical and church music, but this music is deep within the soul and I was totally astounded by the richness of the sound.
I have never seen this live, but it has to be powerful. It gives me goose bumps in recordings.
i know a lot of the folks in that video and have sung with them, know those songs... and this trailer still brought tears & chills. can't wait to watch the movie!
Only the most dejected and miserable would dismiss this gorgeous music, as if Mahler and Beethoven and Brahms were the last word! I traveled to venues throughout the world for operas and symphonies, and I enjoy this right alongside these sublimities. I agree with the gentlelmen who said "I felt like I had received salvation when I heard this." Folks, just keep on doing what your doing.
Sacred Harp singers of the Chattanooga area. Thanks for coming to our church tonight. Amazing to hear, more amazing to hear it LIVE.
A most awe-inspiring harmonic structure! The spirit therein certainly moves you in a way like no other!
It is Stratfield (# 142) in the Sacred Harp Hymnal. Words are by Isaac Watts (1719) and the music is by Ezra Goff (1786). The full song can be heard during the title sequence of "Awake, My Soul".It is available for purchase at awakemysoul(dot)com.
Soul-cleansing music anointed by Holy Spirit - American "chant" from early believers, and still pure. With Orthodox hymns, these melodies would carry real depth of His Faith! God grant it!! From Documentary well worth seeing!
You will hear sacred harp from north to south. Even here in new england and some times the catholic churches. Its part of the american culture
The hardest thing about Sacred Harp is explaining it to people that do not know, especially if they are in love with their assumptions.
The expression on the man's face at 1:45 sums it up!
Carinalillthkell...without Chant we wouldn't have this beautiful sacred harp music! Both musical forms are truly the works of God's creation for his praise. I'm currently studying both chant and shape notes and I am blessed to have them both.
I'll never forget when you showed us this documentary in your comparative religion class at Morehouse College. 🎶
Thank you. 🙏
I just watched this film and I must say it was great. Really informative about a American traditional that is often ignored by the popular media. Excellent job!
My granny used to sing sacred harp at church, this is wonderful to hear again.
Originated in New England, preserved in the South.
You know, this is big in Yankeeland as well. It's going to Europe now as well. Let's hope it doesn't get TOO big, lest the big money folks try and weasel in. Who wants to go to a sing "Sponsored by GEICO"? Not me.
I've never heard of this kind of singing before even though my people were from the Smoky Mountains and I've belonged to the Presbyterian Church for years!
Yes I first heard it when I listened to the soundtrack of Cold Mountain as-well. I was standing in a CD Shop with earphones on. When "I'm Going Home" came on my mouth fell open, and as it progressed I actually began to physically shake and tears welled-up. I'd never heard anything like it before and I was totally floored by the power and beauty. I skipped straight through to Idumea and was once-again overcome by powerful unexplained emotion.
It is Stratfield (# 142) in the Sacred Harp Hymnal. Words are by Isaac Watts (1719) and the music is by Ezra Goff (1786). The full song can be heard during the title sequence of "Awake, My Soul".
Just saw the video with my Mother (73) who grew up in Georgia. We were amazed that we have never heard it in our many years in the Baptist Church. Any singers in SC?
Once you're hooked it never lets you go!
Thanks workie for posting. Real nice!
This weekend was my FIRST SACRED HARP SINGING! Boy, I am stoked. This is the real stuff. How in the WORLD did we ever let the christian recording industry take over as we have? What have we lost? Now worship in many churches is is pop in a CD and flash the words on the wall. How sad.
Indescribable. It really is a mysteriously powerful thing... the power that God put into the human voice, magnified as it creates that thing we call harmony. I don't know if I am crying more because I am overwhelmed, or because we were complicit in the crime as the Christian Entertainment Industry killed it, along with other types of hymnbook singing.
Don't miss the shot that sums up the whole experience at 1:45. His expression says it all. There are simply no words.
Also, there is also a very strong concentration of Sacred Harp singers using the Cooper revision in the area around Hoboken, GA, East of Waycross.
Raymond Hamrick, the older singer pictured in the clip above, is a past President of the South Georgia Sacred Harp Convention. He lives in Macon and is the most prominent living Middle Georgia Sacred Harp singer, with several songs in the Sacred Harp tunebook.
WOW! Thank you for posting this! I was just listening to my "in sweetest union join" C.D and happened to look this up! WOW! Many (uneducated and perhaps unappreciative) :-) people refer to it as "hollerin'" but I (as well as many...MANY others) KNOW it to be beautiful!!! AMAZING!! -AK
There is absolute raw power and earthen beauty in this music, all for the glory of God. Shivers.
if you mean the instrumental, on the other hand, the song is a guitar arrangement of a song in the Sacred Harp called Hallelujah, on page 146.
Looks fascinating. I picked up the 'Goodbye Babylon' box set here in the UK and I'm hooked on the raw intensity and joy of the various Sacred Harp Singers. It's an intensely personal music, there's nothing between you and the singers, and it strikes you hard - in a good way. Hope to see this doc sometime.
This music is very pure and plain, but it's also very emotionally gripping. I'm glad it was documented for future generations to know.
If by the second song you mean the non-instrumental and last song, it is Stratfield L.M. It is # 142 in the Sacred Harp Hymnal. Words are by Isaac Watts (1719) and the song is by Ezra Goff (1786).
i was BLOWN AWAY by that church song in LAWLESS -- the foot washing scene. So I did some googling and found out it is called Sacred Harp music... you should see LAWLESS (awesome movie!) if only just to see that scene. I'm so bummed that track is not on the movie soundtrack. "A wall of sound" is the perfect description of the song in LAWLESS. Powerful. Amazing.
As a teacher of the seven shape systemn, I am intrigued by the harmonies of the fa so la system. And, it truly is the oldest AMERICAN music.
There's something really down-to-earth beautiful about this.
There is and has been Sacred Harp singing in Middle and South Georgia, though it remains more popular in North Georgia, West Georgia, and the area around Atlanta. The South Georgia Sacred Harp Convention encompassed the area from Macon on down to Albany and once held as many as 26 annual singings. These days 13 of the singings are still held every year.
Look for "Awake, My Soul" on your local PBS station this winter! If they aren't airing it, request it!
Everyone...go buy this documentary! It is an excellent piece of ethnomusicology and features some incredible music.
To those who live in Dayton, OH, I will be coming to sing with you this month! I look forward to meeting y'all and to be singing! :)
Stirring stuff!
I have bought this DCD/CD collection twice. And twice I have misplaced them. Is there any way at all I can purchase a third time but this time just download it? I no longer have nor keep a DVD/CD player.
We sing every Tuesday night in Kennard, Texas. If you are in the area - come join us. We meet at 7:00pm at the Kennard Auto Service.
I'm not sure of other names for that song, but on the sound track to "Cold Mountain" it is listed as Iduma, it has the same lyrics as another track called "am I born to die"
Thanks a lot!
Just found this today at a thrift store! Wow!
I get the same "feeling" from singing any kind of music in karaoke, singing is singing. If you feel a song in your heart, sing it! So what if the notes/pitch is off, it's more important you sing what you feel. :)
thank you very much
@Hiecaro thats the spirit speaking to your very soul
@grebnecher I'm coming down this month to Dayton! I guess I will see you there! :) :) :) Will you be there?
WOW - I've just ordered the DVD and CD ;-)
It's so very beautiful and powerful, though just plain ordinary voices coming together. Anyone with a voice and no training can join in, no need for a religious dogma, just a love of music.
Not true, this is music for worshipping.
@@griffinc9071 umm, that's what Dorothy said.
I'm in New Zealand and am unable to get the dvd without paying a lot for shipping and waiting a long time, does anyone know where to download a torrent for it or where to stream it? I have looked but am unable to find anything
Sang Sacred Harp 20 years ago and it is fab - do it if you can
Fascinating,absolutely fascinating. Does anyone know the title of the song that can be heard in the middle of the trailer (1:15)?
I really like Sacred Harp Singing, even though I'm not a believer. But I think that the earliest music in America was by the native Americans. Anyway, I really love Idumea who's played in the beginning :)
This music, though I'm not very religious, chills my bones through.
@salolialawidisgi - There is S.H. Singing on 2nd Sunday of the month in Cincinnati and 4th Sunday of the month in Dayton. Just 'Google' each and you'll find directions.
Hello I'm an Episcopal priest from Mexico. Would you please send me some info about these wonderful people? What is Sacred Harp?, is it a choir, a religious denomination, or a cultural association?, please tell me... Bless You!
He said it right there at the end: "My favorite song is the one I'm singing".
AWESOME!!!! is there sacred harp in ohio??? i just moved there, and i miss it! ; )
MadZenos,
Perhaps the sound quality is not the best. The experience of being there in person is just about overwhelming. Try searching for and listen to Blue Highway Wonderous Love and see if you like that.
What's that last song. I love it. Someone please assist
Found it in it the comments
#142 strattfield
Can someone please tell me where can I buy the film?
This is what I imagine it sounds like in Heaven!
Yes. It is available for purchase from the Sacred Harp Publishing Co. Here's their website: originalsacredharp(dot)com/ For $15 you get around 600 songs. Quite a deal!
Yes. It is available for purchase at awakemysoul(dot)com.
I'm a traditional Roman Catholic, and even I can find beauty in this, even though it has roots in Cromwellian England among Puritans.
Love to join an ensemble myself sometime.
Is there a plan to release it for streaming or download?
Beautiful as it is, I can barely make out what they're saying in the songs.
Somebody could still make a documentary and put in the story of African-American sacred harp. No one short movie can include everything. But I agree that it would be a good thing if this one had included something about African-American shape note singing, Dewey Williams, and others.
What is the name of the first sing on this video?
Thanks
The Sacred Harp music sung by "unschooled rural Southerners" was not the earliest music of America (it actually came to the South from New England and there was other earlier music, such as th-cam.com/video/1JtD_YpyXYU/w-d-xo.html), nor was it the music of all America, nor all Americans, but it is uplifting and fascinating.
what was the first song sung?? it's sooo beautiful
does anybody know the title of the second song?
@NJRocks281 That would be "And Am I Born To Die?"
What is the hymn at the end of this trailer?
#142 Stratfield
(according to other commenters)
I enjoy this! I am a music teacher grades k-8 and I do a Shape Note Singing Unit Every fall as part of our Appalachian Culture Celebration. I was introduced to this tradition during my music History courses in college. I believe it is important to pass on the tradition to our youngsters. Does anyone know where I can find the movie? If you are interested in learning more about this, check out my shape note singing powerpoint lesson at teacherspayteachers Rachael Lewis
website doesn't work.
Idumea page 47 on the bottom in The Sacred Harp.
Idumea. On the bottom of page 47 in the Sacred Harp.
@boscogump Yup. Same with me. I admire this music because it's the opposite of Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber. There's no commercial potential in it whatsoever. It's simply sincere music straight from the heart, and you needn't believe in a Big Man Up in the Sky Judging Sins to appreciate that.
Idumea - Sacred Harp (47b)
whats the first song sung.. I looked through the comments couldn't find it.. thanks for the reply in advance
Idumea, #47b
"Stratfield" . It's on page 142 in the Sacred Harp
@biannedachman :
Stratfield. page 142 in the Sacred Harp.
@boscogump try a church of Christ. they are a capella. very beauitful singing. very uplifting.
1.) Lyrical (A cappella) only…singing. 2.) Cantata (Lyrical and instrumental)…singing with accompaniment. 3.) Instrumental only…no singing. That’s it. There are only three different kinds of music in the world regardless of history, culture, country, or genre. All music falls within these three kinds. The New Testament only mentions and references one of these kinds as used by Christians in this life in worship or praise to God. Regardless of our preferences, traditions, pop culture, family, friends, culture, justifications, emotions, or what matters to us or not...what is our standard to be that God gave us? Is what God gave us lacking or needing improvement and if so, for whom? We will all be judged by His words according to John 12:48 not by anyone among us today or to come. I never told you what was mentioned or referenced as the only kind of music used in the New Testament for Christian praise or worship. But I encourage people to read it for themselves and find a congregation of people that practices and believes in the same or encourage your own to do the same. There is a standard for all and there is where you will find true Biblical unity if that is desired.
Your link appears to be full of fail and completely lacking in win.
Why do they raise their hands while singing ?
It's how we keep time. It keeps us in sync.
And in scripture when it says to lift up our hands with singing and praise to our Heavenly Father
@boscogump Find a church that sings great music - they're everywhere!
Idumea
it's awesome, isn't it
@biannedachman Goff's Stratfield 142. Click on my username for my channel and a complete recording is there
Name is Idumea!Pronounced Iduma..
bless your sweet heart. God reads your words, so He might be visiting you in ways you don't understand. And yes, yur right, it probably won't be in the satanic mess which has become "The 'church'" just saying, let him who has ears, hear.
Hahahahahaa....of course, Amazing Grace was published and popularized in America through the Shape Note Hymnals. Really, most of the "traditional" American songs in the hymnals are shape note tunes that have been printed as regular music.
@boscogump haha something powerful isnt it
Look...im an atheist....but if the churches sang that around where I live. I'd go every sunday
This beats Justin Bieber.
@grebnecher I'm coming down this month to Dayton! I guess I will see you there! :) :) :) Will you be there?