Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - Present Joys video free download

Michael L

where did you get that photo? one of the people in it looks just like a relative of mine.

David Mills

LOmax was recording on two channels back then?

Sue Harvey

I have just finished reading Cold Mountain, different from the film and just as amazing.........this picture speaks volumes,

justforever96

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.

Addicus Cohen

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

theruffedge94

This singing never ceases to capture me . 

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...

jane hafker

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 .:)

Mimi Wright

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.

Lana Pettey

Goosebumps!

Robbie S.

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.

Gabriel Kyne

Those altos!!!

MostlyBloodyHarmless

Extraordinary. In a good way. Just beautiful.

PLBrayfield

There might be singings in your area. Check out the national website, fasola.org, where there's information about singings all over the US and even a few abroad, with contacts you can call to find out more.

Viola Grey

wow, that sounds so wonderful, I wonder if this kind of thing happens in my area!

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.

Viola Grey

Thats beautiful. Can anyone join you? Or do you have to be a member of the congregation?

4rm1n

i found gold

12RdV55

Strange and rigid to me--as in that old WASPish rigidity: See Christian harmony singing, Rutherfordton NC (St. John's Church. Rutherfordton, NC. Dan Huger leading Pisgah. 2009) My favorite. Though, I did read that they really belt it out from their very depths..not WASPish at all and you can hear these women really shouting.

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!