Yesterday, Sat. May 31, 2008, I went to my first Sacred Harp singing at Shady Grove Primitive Baptist Church. My cousin Linda had invited us several times and since this one was at a country church near us, we decided to go see what it was all about. We arrived around 11 a.m. and had a hard time getting James to go inside. He wasn't sure about what was taking place inside when he heard the "unusual" singing taking place. He was ready to come home after lunch. Go to this site and click it on to experience the "sound" of sacred harp: http://www.awakemysoul.com/The singing started at 10 a.m. and lasted until 3 p.m. They stopped for a delicious covered dish lunch at noon. As soon as they finished lunch, they headed back inside the church and started singing again, with gusto!
I went online to read about Sacred Harp music so I would have some idea of what we were going to hear. It was beautiful harmony. At first I didn't have any idea what they were saying. I asked someone for a songbook so I could follow along. At first they were just singing the shaped notes and then they would start singing words. Sometimes, when I knew the songs, I would sing along.
Copied from Google: Sacred Harp uses printed shapes to help untrained singers read the music. A triangle represents fa, a circle for sol, a square for la and a diamond for mi. There is no musical accompaniment -- "harp" refers to the most-used tune book, "The Sacred Harp," first published in 1844.
Also unique is the way singers are organized -- in an open square, with tenors, bass, alto and treble voices each taking a side. Singers take turns leading the group and beat their hands to keep time.
The result is a loud, clear, almost astringent sound that some describe as ancient, others like a human bagpipe or organ. Singers usually perform a song using its notes before singing the lyrics. And everyone is expected to participate -- there is no division between a choir and audience.
You have to participate in singing to really enjoy and appreciate sacred harp music. Most of the singers were older people with a few younger family members learning the art of singing the shaped notes. Many were there because their parents and grandparents enjoyed Sacred Harp music and they passed this legacy on to their children. I'm afraid my children and grandchildren will never experience Sacred Harp music from Jim or me. Jim loves singing in our church choir and "high" music (not gospel) and I can't carry a tune in a bucket! But I love listening to all types of music, especially when it's a tune or song I know.
The recent movie "Cold Mountain" featured some Sacred harp singers from Alabama. Click on this site: http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Mountain-Various-Artists/dp/B0000E1WL4
then on the left side of the page, click "Play samples". When the list of songs is shown, click on #9 and then #19 and listen to the Sacred Harp selections from the movie Cold Mountain.
