Never knew what that was before. It is where the church sings without instruments. Acupella singing is their way. Still don't know what the harp means unless ---guessing they started that way. I was invited to sing for a church like this and they were really excited. Not even a microphone. It was a blessing though becaus was singing to the Lord Jesus and for his glory.
Sacred Harp Singing: History & Tradition
by Steven Sabol of the Potomac River Sacred Harp Singers
Revised February 5, 2005
At Sacred Harp singings and conventions, participants sing the powerful and harmonious American music from The Sacred Harp, the most enduring of the shape-note tunebooks popular in 19th-century rural America. This tunebook, in its several editions, has given its name to a tradition of unaccompanied community singing and fellowship surviving to the present day. While "harp" is an old word for a hymnal containing music, in a broader sense, the "sacred harp" is the human voice or ensemble of voices.
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brodav, you are talking about a-cappella singing - the singing without any musical instruments. Please allow me to share something real special to me.
Last weekend we and another couple hosted a I-W reunion here in our homes. Six couples were here plus one other male whose wife was unable to attend - in all 13 people, all seniors, 62-73 year-olds.
At the first meal we sang a prayer and that music was awesome. WOW! In the mornings since we had a devotional and always a lot of singing, all unaccompanied. It was absolutely beautiful! It was almost like heaven...Four part harmony, all sung with robust and meaning...someone thought the roof almost lifted! In the days following we visited several homes with shut-ins and sang for them. They also commented how beautiful it was.
The human voice is the most precious musical instrument and for too many it has not been developed because of the use of musical instruments. (I have nothing against its use.)
This kind of singing has played a very important role in helping me deal with grief after the death of our daughter. God used this to comfort me and it is so precious. There is so much joy and delight when God is in it.
My suggestion to you brodav, and others as well, is to pursue this type of music. It is balm to a weary soul - to a soul who feels frustrated with the noise that is marketed as music today.
God bless and you have a blessed day.
ginnyrose
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