Standing in the center of a shaped note sing is more powerful than you can possibly imagine if you've never experienced it. All those voices singing at maximum volume, all directed at you in the center, gets right down into your bones.

Gorgeous! There's a certain beauty to singing in a choir that has nothing to do with how polished it sounds.

Thank you Cold Mountain for introducing me to this. Singing the bass line loud and proud in Michigan.

It's been a tradition that has not died out in the South. My Grandmother's funeral had Sacred Harp singing in 1982 in Alabama. It has been in our family for as long as I can remember.

This was always referred to as Shape Note Singing in Appalachia when I was a boy. This video does not really bring it to life. It is filled with faith, worship, and a love for the Lord above all. It is simple, powerful, and worshipful.

I have been to a singing in Chicago. Just being in the room, surrounded by other singers, the music vibrates in your lungs and in your bones, even if you aren't singing. The harmony produces a kind of exhilaration.

singing together is so important for the soul...of all of us!

When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade (I'm now 81), in "music appreciation" we learned shape note music and singing. It was fun but challenging. It was only years later that I learned its origin.

Love this! I had never heard of Sacred Harp till just a few minutes ago. Especially in this age of arms-length social interaction mediated through technology, this is a definitely a more human interaction. So refreshing.

After being obsessed with the Pottsfield song in Over the Garden Wall for years I am so delighted to find more like it now that I know the name of the style

My Grandfather's church (Second Creek Baptist in 5 Points TN) held a singing school when I was 12. I attended and learned to sign shape notes, and went to many singings across the south with him. I still remember the fist song I ever lead (Happy Land 354). I still know all the words and most of the notes by heart to many songs we sang. I will never forget what I learned with him.

Well i bless. I was raised in this I remember going to the 1971 Georgia State convention in Villa Rica Georgia The people who sings this means the world me

In the Church of Christ back in the 50s to early 60s we used a shape note hymn book, "Great Songs of the Church". Even very young children got to sing along with the adults so that made me feel special, and every service you could always hear all these little cooing and trilling sounds from the babies enjoying the sound so much.

I first heard this music at the Fox Hollow Folk Festival in the 70s, early in the morning on a small stage, about 20 singers had gathered and the sound just BLEW ME AWAY!! It was like music from the movie Ben-Hur or something - I'd never heard choral singing so primitive, powerful, and joyous all at once. Since then I've sung it in the Philadelphia Revels and local groups when I can find them. Participating in the singing is almost better than listening, as you become part of the big sound, enwrapped in the music itself.

Sang for several years with Hoboken, GA sacred harp singers. It was an amazing experience-fun and upliftiing!

Sacred Harp singing came into being with the 1844 publication of Benjamin Franklin White and Elisha J. King’s The Sacred Harp. It was this book, now distributed in several different versions, that came to be the shape note tradition with the largest number of participants. B. F. White (1800-1879) was originally from Union County, South Carolina, but since 1842 had been living in Harris County, Georgia. He prepared The Sacred Harp in collaboration with a younger man, E. J. King, (ca. 1821-44), who was from Talbot County, Georgia. Together they compiled, transcribed, and composed tunes, and published a book of over 250 songs. From Wikipedia

If I were younger and could sing, I would love to participate in a group like this one....

I love this. It seems to lift my heart and soul. Please keep this form of music alive.

"ya'know, ACT ugly" adorable

It's so beautiful! I heard it first in music style class and I fell in love with it in Over the Garden Wall from cartoon network.

Thrilling! Zulu unaccompanied traditional vocal music sounds like this.

Wow, this is some of the best shape-note singing I've heard on KZfaq.

The name of the book actually says it all. Sacred Harp. Yes, some people can sing country music, some pop, rock, blues, rhythms, and so forth. This singing mixes every form of sweet Gospel, and Living Legend Writing. Many are attracted, but only those who, are in faith believing, and do worship the One, The Only Living God, actually can feel this way down deep where it counts. I have sang Gospel Music with my family for well over sixty years. I was taught by my Father the old original eight shaped note singing. Its as familiar to me as breathing. I learned the four note, Sacred Harp singing on my own. I love it so much, and what it means to actually be singing this historic music. I'm glad I did. I have enjoyed listening to many groups sing Sacred Harp, and they all sound so great. It lifts you up off the floor at times, and makes you feel.... just a little closer to Heaven.

I'm from NZ and I while I agree that it's from "American history and culture" I think it is way bigger than that. When I listen to it and sing it I hear the raw struggle and pure emotion of the human spirit facing head-on the juxtaposition of the human journey ie; life, love, joy, hope, human potential, versus, our mortality and ultimate demise...... This is hard to encapsulate in music but Sacred Harp does it for me every time...

Ah yes - Saint Augustine wrote about this reality of the hiddenness of true motivation and spiritual process. I think it was in his Confessions (but I very well could be mistaken). He lamented that other persons could not "lay their ear to my heart, where I am what I am." (That's a rough approximation of the quote.) It is hard to imagine singing these wonderful songs and nothing at all go on in the heart.

"It's a truly indie art form" - When the narrator said this, I stopped the video, sighed heavily and rolled my eyes so hard I nearly blinded myself! Goodness!

wonderful. A priest sent me the link. Thank you, LJM! what a blessing.

God loves you so much more than you'll ever imagine He will never leave you nor forsake you Christianity is not a religion but its the best relationship 💯✝️💙🙏⛪

Honestly feeling called out about their description of young people who get into sacred harp music :')

Potomac Sacred Harp serves the entire Washington DC area n and is very active.

It's so very gratifying to see this type of singing coming back, over 50 years ago I used to love it so much up to age 10 in the Church of Christ. Never being a believer in any dogma, singing was the one thing I truly loved about church. Most other churches use musical instruments and modern arrangements, this is so much better. The little girl is right about that harmonious feeling the music inspires.

Such a beautiful tradition.

Intentional singing triggers the vagus nerve, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system--the part of our brain that tells our body: you're safe, relax and enjoy life. :-)

@ohsnapitsme59 that’s about it really, it’s a different way to learn music. However there is also a different atmosphere with Sacred Harp to say a choir - you are there to sing for yourself, you own enjoyment. It is not about performance, but participation. And singers put up with all sorts of voices belting it out, if you can’t cope with that then it’s not the place to go. It’s more than just fun, there is also a social element. If you get the chance to try it, go for it! Hope that helps.

Heard Idumea using a smartphone app on tv about amish life in the states. Loved the effect the song had and from someone who likes metal, i found this spine tinkling. Just wish i could sing and there was something like this in london.

👍😍🤩💖Fantastic and that little Holly was so adorable. I wonder if she’s still into this music. Since this video was posted 12 years ago….I bet she’s a cool well adjusted, well rounded and balanced person. 💝

This moved me.

This is so great it gives me goosebumps!

man, i wish i would have known about this back in the '00s. would have saved my faith and me a lot of hell.

V-E-R-Y helpful video in explaining/promoting Sacred Harp. Thanks for posting!

Don't forget about The Southern Harmony! More shape note glory!

truly energetic and harmonious.

My dad had recorded my great grandfather singing this.

Thank you for this video!

What a great video and explanation of FaSoLa. Thanks for taking the time to make and share this video! I've been singing FaSoLa for nearly 30 years.

Very well said and done!

I haven't thought about Sacred Harp, or shape note singing in a long, long time. Glad to hear it's still around!

This is Beautiful music.

Thank you for making this video. I've found it useful for promoting the music.

Some of its roots are from West Gallery music in England, and the hymn writers did use some popular tunes that were floating around, some of which might have come over from England or Ireland. But it is, indeed, a truly American musical art form. Most of the writers and composers were American--born and raised here.

This is amazing!

I first heard this in 1975 in the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, which had a very active Sacred Harp group (still does).

wonderful thanks for sharing!

I was introduced to this sort of singing in about 1985 when I borrowed from our local public library an album of early American choral music performed by the Oregon State University Choir. It is entitled: Make a Joyful Noise: Mainstreams and Backwaters of American Psalmody, 1770-1840 and is still available on CD. I have since listened to quite a bit of this music and read somewhat about it. The most interesting thing I recall reading abut it was that it was made for singing, not listening. Of course, the reference was to the fact that it was designed for amateurs to sing (the whole shaped not system was designed to teach non-music readers how to sing written music) and the result was that it does not always sound that good. Not only that, the harmonization patterns are not like the polished European harmonies of that time period. But, I live it. Wish there were some around here who would like to get together and sing it.

"i , i don't think i've never met anyone who's mean or ugly in sacred harp so, you know, ACT ugly, (titter)" lol

This is so great! Awesome to see so many of you lovelies! :) Also, that is not footage of WMSHC when she talks about it. :)

I like to hear this.

I wouldn't call this a "short piece"! VERY glad it is NOT short!

Thank you for uploading this clear educational video and showing how varied the singers are nowadays. You balanced the new full-color with the old sepia frames so well! And you combined different voices in interesting ways. Question: Could you go back into your intro and give the full form of the initialism PGTC?

The song is 424 Sweet Union

Love this. Notes look like Gregorian Chant notation. Great gift of self in song to Jesus (Sacre Heart) I wish my parish congregation would sing as these folks sing.

szzgable, it's "The Traveler" by Cordelia's Dad, track 8 on the disc "Help Me To Sing" in the two-album collection "Awake My Soul/Help Me To Sing" that is available through any major music retailer. I highly recommend the albums. Awake My Soul is the untouched Sacred Harp singing and Help Me To Sing is individual artists' interpretations of Sacred Harp songs.

@szzgable It's a rendition of number 108b in the Sacred Harp, "The Traveler", sung by the band Cordelia's Dad.

Alice Parker has arranged many of these tunes for more conventional choirs

I found out about Sacred Harp thru KZfaq !

Shared. Good vid.

Sacred Harp singing is one of several surviving shape note traditions. It's arguably the most popular one.

God I wish that were me

You are cordially invited to the "Kiirtan Hour 2017©" global event . You can find all the information on the event page "Kiirtan for Peace and All Round Prosperity©". This is a free and non-denominational event. Listen to the mantra we are using, Baba Nam Kevalam. The sound is in the "Kiirtan Hour 2017©" document. Please join us and invite anyone you like. Sing the Mantra, enjoy it's benefits, and if you feel like it send us a simple phone video of you singing the Mantra alone or with friends to help inspire others.

The song is "The Traveler" by Cordelia's Dad. You're welcome.

@lsdvine A license was required to preach at least in some of the eastern colonies(Virginia), which meant that the Church of England rules were followed under pain of imprisonment and torture. Not so much in other places..the hills and mountains. Those folks never followed anybody's "rules", and still don't today. Few could read and write, fewer still with music. That's where this music really took root and still survives. It's as American as jazz or bluegrass. BTW most of us have Native blood.

These meanings exist in the music on their own terms, not just ours. What I meant by postmodern was the sense that they stop at what's "sufficient to our needs". Isn't it the "uncompromising" meanings which are spiritually attractive to begin with? My basic concern was the nature of words. I don't think one takes only what one wants, how one wants it, from them; their meanings take effect, individually, collectively, despite our efforts. Like a spell, or a prayer. That's their value and danger.

Thank you for the answer. Do you or possibly someone else here know the song from 0:40 - 1:03 aswell?

True that!! ;)

XD That is actually a good description of a cantor! Just wondering, does your shul have the congregation sing some songs all together? (Such as Veshamru, Anim Zmirot, or Adon Olam?) I really enjoy those parts of the service, but then, I love singing in general.

Yes, anyone can come.

1000th like! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

FASoLA is here to stay! This is a culture frozen in time which is still alive!

Just learned about it today. A group met in the music space just below my apartment. I had to check it out and wow it's fun

Vaguely reminiscent to some African music in power...

By the way I was raised in cullman alabama mother's fam from bugtussel al.

someone knows what song it is in the beginning? before her loevly voice breaks in.

I've sung with many of the people in this video!

It is a fine reason. If the character of this form of song embodies the resistance of Christian faith to the dominant cultural ethos, unlike the accommodation of much of what passes for Christianity, then God bless it. Some may never embrace the faith, but it's not insignificant that the great spiritual renewals have throughout the Common Era been accompanied by song. So some may find the depth so beautifully reflected in these songs.

@gnaaaaaman I agree. Sacred Harp singing without the spirituality of it is to miss the essence of the music. William Billings in particular...some the most deeply moving theological verses I've had the joy of hearing. Singing is spiritual fellowship, all the more so in this genre. I'm glad different types of people enjoy it (I wouldn't be considered the typical fan), but I hope people don't try and make it "hip" or as they said, "indie". It is what it is and is beautiful as such.

Sacred harps are designed to awaken the Sacred heART within namaste

"In my house there are many mansions." Or something like that. I am happy that any and all, hipsters and hillbillies (me) alike, "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" or whatever. Why do some of you respondees to this music elect to make something ugly out of the beautiful? It boggles the mind--and reason. Sing on!!!!!

Last comment was 2 years ago. Not good! Is this still going on?!

@gajda1984 who knows what made me write "too" instead of "to".

thank you! :)

It's very popular in the Primitive Baptist Church.....(not snake handlers....lol) Old Line Primitive Baptist does not believe in instruments in the church so Acapella is all they do but 4 note " singings" are usually a special event.

@ 5:30 This man looks so much like Val Kilmer the actor @ around that age... I wonder if there is any relation - that he knows of? I want to join the Bay Area Harp Singers. I think it would be a great experience!

1. It's silly to fret and argue about the uses singers make of songs. Some of those uses, maybe most of them, are bound to differ from what you think is appropriate, and there's nothing you can do about it. Music, like the Holy Spirit, goes wherever it will, and does what you don't expect. :|||: 2. I notice that some commenters think "young, urban, not necessarily religious" equals "hipster." That's a mistake. Even among city dwellers, hipsters are a small, specialized sub-tribe, and the closer you look, the fewer of them there are. :|||: 3. I did my first Sacred Harp singing a quarter-century ago, introduced to it by my fellow science fiction fans. It's a joy to walk into a party on the last night of an SF convention and find a group of singers tuning up for "Babylon Is Fallen" or "On Jordan's Stormy Banks." So tell me: where does that fit on your maps?

what is the background track at 2:14?

sure but i wish the world could really see the heart...

Is Sacred Harp Singing and Shape Note Tune Singing the same thing? My computer is not buffering videos in a timely manner and I've got research to finish. Thanks!

After seeing 1:40 and 4:54, all I can say is WHERE DO I SIGN UP?

Those old people are probably so pissed.

What is the name of the track that starts at 3:32?

To their credit, the singers I know of denounce technical prerequisites with habitual quickness. So I don't foresee ability excluding future participation. There are plenty of virtuosic traditional singers anyway, right? Still, many of us who didn't find it through church found it through our music schooling, having learned certain technique and exactitude which comes out in singing. Sorry for the essay.