I have written here before about the history and mechanics of Sacred Harp singing, shape-notes, and Singing Schools. James Kibler has delivered some truly excellent talks about Singing Billy Walker and the origins of Amazing Grace as an original tune called New Britain in Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, and I strongly urge you to listen to his presentations. Listen to them again if you’ve already heard them, because he suggests, and I wholeheartedly agree, that Amazing Grace is the greatest and most defining song ever produced by an American – and a staunch rebel Southerner at that.
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Sacred Harp music is still sung here in north Alabama. Of course, it isn't nearly as popular as it was seventy-five years ago when there were huge "fa-so-la" singings. There is a monument commemorating Sacred Harp music and some of the influential people from our county who sung it.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie "Cold Mountain", film makers traveled to north Alabama and eventually ended up hiring a "song leader" from an Alabama church who taught the cast members how to sing that music in the church scenes.
https://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/DA/20031214/News/603199799/GT
Very interesting and thanks.
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