We've got a very different experience for you today and it's called shape-note singing, or sometimes sacred harp singing. Our guest, Jim Page (or James Page when in print) gives us a rich taste-test of this venerable tradition of American religious singing for laypersons. I've only been around shape-note singing a couple times, and I have to admit that what you'll hear today is only a faint echo of the music experienced in person. Jim, by the way, has written his own shape-note songs, included in the 2 music books he's written which you can find via this site by searching James Page. Though he won't be sharing any of his own songs today, you can contact Jim to learn more. Rest assured that he has led vast amounts of shape-note singing over the decades, and you can learn a lot more at fasola.org
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Episcopalian, Congregational, UCC, Unitarian-Universalist, Buddism
All featured music is sourced as noted:
Captain Kidd - from The Missouri Harmony (45), 2005 Edition, performed at Missouri Sacred Harp Convention led by Peggy Brayfield, view the lyrics
Lochleven - from The Missouri Harmony (139), 2005 Edition, Live recording, Lochleven lyrics
Exhortation - from The Sacred Harp (272), 1991 Edition, performed at the 7th Ireland Sacred Harp Convention, Exhortation lyrics
Huntington - from The Sacred Harp (193), 1991 Edition, performed at the 2016 UK Sacred Harp Convention, Huntington lyrics
Northfield - from The Sacred Harp (155), 1991 Edition, performed at the Missouri Shape Note Convention, Northfield lyrics
Pittsford - from The Sacred Harp (351), 1991 Edition, performed at the 2016 UK Sacred Harp Convention led by Lisa O'Grady, Pittsford lyrics
Ninety-Fifth - from The Christian Harmony (128), Second Edition, performed at Morning Star Methodist, Canton, NC, 9/10/2000, led by Laura Boosinger, Ninety-Fifth lyrics
Spring - from The Sacred Harp (188), 1991 Edition, Fynn Titford-Mock leading at the Tenth Ireland Sacred Harp Convention on 2/29/2020, Spring lyrics
Edom - from The Sacred Harp (200), 1991 Edition, Rachel Jordan leading at the 21st UK Sacred Harp Convention in Bristol, 9/17/2016, Edom lyrics
Where Ceaseless Ages Roll - from The Sacred Harp (505), 1991 Edition, performed at the Second Germany Sacred Harp Convention, 2015, Where Ceaseless Ages Roll lyrics
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