Originally broadcast: April 29, 2008
The story of American music is, in many ways, the story of discovery and rediscovery of blues and gospel and country rolling into rock and pop and Aaron Copeland.
But one American musical tradition is so old and so other-worldly that it’s hardly ever touched the modern mainstream. It’s called Sacred Harp — and the harp is the human voice, raised in something like prayer.
It started in colonial New England, and migrated south. Now its bold, haunting sound has fans all over.
This hour, in an archive edition of On Point: the sound and story of Sacred Harp.
-Tom Ashbrook
Guests:
Matt Hinton, Sacred Harp singer and maker of the documentary “Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp.” He also teaches religion at Morehouse College.
Tim Eriksen, singer, musician, and music historian. He’s in the band Cordelia’s Dad, and a founder of the largest annual Sacred Harp convention, held in Western Massachusetts.
Raymond Hamrick, Sacred Harp singer and composer. He has contributed songs to the most recent edition of the “Sacred Harp Songbook” and recently published “The Georgian Harmony, “a book of his compositions.
My mother, Kathleen Kinkade, was deeply involved in sacred harp singing for many years. She traveled all over the North and the South to attend conventions, and even tried her hand at composing some sacred harp music.
She died this July, and this is our first Christmas without her. Hearing this show today is especially meaningful to me. Thank you.
Posted by Josie Kinkade, on December 25th, 2008 at 11:25 am ESTGrowing up in the forties and fifties I often got taken to camp meetings in small towns in the western part of Illinois. Most were Pentecostal but some were Southern Baptist. Although different, Sacred Heart music brings back the feelings I remember of camp meeting.
Posted by Claudia Ryan, on December 25th, 2008 at 11:50 am ESTLoved hearing about this. I love to sing but don’t have an outlet for it, not good enough for a choir. Does any of this take place in the west? SLC?
Posted by Heidi, on December 25th, 2008 at 1:11 pm ESTGood program. If listeners want to know more about this music and to find local singings, go to http://www.fasola.org for a treasure trove of information. Sing on!
Posted by Martha Beverly, on December 25th, 2008 at 10:10 pm ESTHeidi – the beauty of Sacred Harp is that it is not meant to be sung by people “good enough for a choir.” It is meant to be sung by everyone – check out fasola.org to find a local singing – you will be welcomed and invited to join and learn – I know I was just a couple of years ago in CT. Have fun!
Posted by Martha R., on December 26th, 2008 at 5:16 pm ESTHaving sung Sacred Harp for several years, starting at age 67 after years of church choir singing I can honestly state that this is the very best way for me to worship and truly enjoy the “sacred harp”. My late husband used to call it the “most beautiful/horrible sound next to the bagpipes”. He was not a singer but encouraged me to love and continue by even attending singings in the South and also in Texas and Misssouri. The Sacred Harp family surrounded me at his Homegoing and will sing at my memorial service when I join him. Those singers already know I want 59, vs. 1, 2, 5 and 159 all verses.
Posted by M. E. Wilkinson, on December 26th, 2008 at 9:26 pm ESTThank you so much for this program. I have been singing for over 16 years. “Up North” and “Down South” Some singings are big, some are small, but all are full of wonderful people, all singing, “making a great noise unto the Lord”. There are no strangers at a singing, everyone is welcome because we come together to sing. We meet old friends again, sometimes we say farewell to a beloved singer, sometimes we sing with great joy at a wedding. Sacred Harp singings bring me great joy and a wonderful sense of community, so I can truly say “All is well, all is well with my soul”
Posted by Virginia Douglas, on December 28th, 2008 at 9:34 pm EST1) I would like to second Virginia Douglas, who said “There are no strangers at a singing, everyone is welcome because we come together to sing”, and note that Jews, Buddhists and atheists are as welcome to attend a singing as everyone else.
2) I am curious to know if Heidi looked up any local singings, and if she has attended one yet (or intends to)?
Posted by Pennywhistler, on December 30th, 2008 at 1:25 pm ESTA singing is an act of worship, not a performance. It is a community of people who love to sing God’s praises without the need to be a great singer. I have never felt unwelcome at a singing. Come stand in the middle of the square and experience the wonderful sound…uplifting, awe-inspiring, and touch the face of God
Posted by Brian Naylor, on January 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am EST