Soulful churches are found throughout the United States. I was raised in one, but the soulfulness of my Baptist church in New Jersey pales in comparison to the down home santified for realness of this church service I found while YouTube surfing:
Mt. Do Well Baptist Church in McConnells, South Carolina -"He Set Me Free"
Uploaded by Hymnchoir on May 3, 2007
Recorded by RAM in 1991 at Mt. Do Well Baptist Church in McConnells, SC www.hymnchoir.org
This way of singing hymns is called "Dr. Watts" , named after the 18th century composer of English hymns, "Dr Isaac Watts. These songs are also called "long meter", the "Old One Hundreds", and "surge singing."
Here's some more information about this type of soulful singing:
According to William T. Dargan, Ph.D., Professor of Music at St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina, the old style a capella "spirituals and hymns are characterized by two and three part modal harmonies, gradual but drastic quickening of tempos, frequent and strong body movements as well as polyrhythmic clapping and stomping patterns.
Developed by slaves during the camp meeting revivals of the early nineteenth century, spirituals are rhythmic, call-and-response song forms that continue in oral tradition among African-American congregations.
"Lining out" is a method of performing a psalm or hymn in which the leader gives out the words, or the melody, or both, one or two lines at a time, to be followed by the congregation. This practice began in the early seventeenth century by the British Parish Churches as an aid for those who were unable to read.
Quotation appeared in the Black Music Research Journal Center for Black Music Research, Columbia College, Chicago, Vol. 15 NO. 1, Spring 1995; reposted from http://www.hymnchoir.org/
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I’m only 25 however I was brought up in a Traditional “Black” Baptist Church (Macedonia Baptist Church) just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Sunday Mornings and Wednesday (Prayer Meetings) evenings it seemed as if you could hear the Old Deacons, and Church mothers “lining” out these hymns from miles away. Songs such as “A charge to keep I have, Father, I stretch my hand to thee, and The Old Ship of Zion” were some of the songs the saints of old used to sing. In my opinion nothing compares to this style of music, being an African American I believe its honor and a privilege to partake in singing “Negro Spirituals”. I personally don’t have an issue with today’s “Contemporary Christian or Gospel Rap” all because the music is designed to glorify God. Although I must say nothing moves my spirit like an old “Dr. Watts” style hymn.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Quallan. I really appreciate your comment.
ReplyDeleteI think that the style of singing featured in this video may have been how religious services were for enslaved African Americans.
It seems to me that the Mt. Do Well choir (and other Dr Watts singing choirs who are featured in YouTube videos) really means what they are singing. In contrast, I often get the sense that some contemporary Black Gospel choirs/vocalists are showing off for their audiences.
Thanks Azizi for the re-connect to my roots,....I've witnessed this type of singing without music instrumental music being my father was minister to 3 churches back in the day in Va., and surrounding counties of the city of Richmond. I didn't think the memory of it would stick with this long, but being a jazz/R&B/gospel musician it plays an integral part of my music makeup, and I feel I'm blessed to have experience this moving of the ho;y spirit with such fire and integrity. Only voices, handclapping, foot stomping, and an occasional tamborine, the holy spirit reveals itself!
ReplyDeleteToussaintthompson.com
Thanks for the comment, Toussaint.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a rather "saditty" Baptist church so don't have any personal experiences growing up with the kind of singing shown on this video. But the videos that I've seen make me want to experience this in person.
Btw, Toussaint, I love your website (which I visited by clicking on your name). HHIekoccassvevideos that I've seen (and the few one it's so spiritually rich, because it's down home natural, w nfcause's quite moving, and is Fthis the perrkind of t's wonderful how the