#shapenotesinging

[bluedesertbooks]

What is shape note singing? 🗣️🔈sound on to listen to the Sacred Harp Singers from the Cold Mountain movie soundtrack. . #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging

[erisis]

I am so glad this morning to still have some of this incredibly wholesome content from the Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention to share with you all! Post 24 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqXtmmWuOQZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jalopyrecords]

Songs of Slavery and Emancipation

Songs of Slavery and Emancipation Releases June 17th, 2022 on Jalopy Records Order Now!

"To those songs I trace my first glimmering conception of the dehumanizing character of slavery. I can never get rid of that conception. Those songs still follow me, to deepen my hatred of slavery, and quicken my sympathies for my brethren in bonds." - Frederick Douglass

The Songs Of Slavery and Emancipation project presents recently discovered songs composed by enslaved people and explicitly calling for resistance to slavery. Some originate as early as 1800 and others as late as the outbreak of the Civil War. The project also includes long-lost songs of the abolitionist movement, some of which were written by fugitive slaves as well as free black people, challenging common misconceptions of abolitionism. Listen and order your copy at: jalopyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-slavery-and-emancipation

Thirty one songs are presented in a beautiful hard cover bound double CD and digital download containing new performances in a traditional style by numerous contributing artists.

An accompanying 64 page liner notes booklet includes complete lyrics as well as reproductions of historic documents.  The liner notes also include essays by the album’s producer Mat Callahan, scholar Robin D.G. Kelley and activist organizer Kali Akuno.

The album is also available via digital download and streaming services.

A companion full length book, to be published by the University Press of Mississippi, documents the sources of these newly released songs, as well as providing historic context: www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/S/Songs-of-Slavery-and-Emancipation

A documentary film documents the entire project and is available for screenings.

The CDs and book will be published in June, 2022 by the University Press of Mississippi in conjunction with Jalopy Records.

“These songs of slavery and emancipation, some written more than two hundred years ago, are not only important historically; they have a direct bearing on today’s movements for social and economic transformation. When you hear songs like “Nat Turner” or “Hymn of Freedom,” it’s almost as if they were written yesterday. They bring inspiration and revolutionary clarity to contemporary struggles. Songs of Slavery and Emancipation brings a whole era of resistance forward into the twenty-first century. To forget the lessons of the revolt and rebellion of the enslaved or the organizing of the abolitionist networks and the Underground Railroad is to condemn people to the false belief that because one of us is Black and the other is white we can’t unite, we don’t have anything in common, and we can’t work together. And this goes for people of all ethnicities, places of origin, and genders.

We must not forget this history. These songs can make an important contribution. They provide a popular art form that can help people understand all Americans’ history and participate in our contemporary struggles. Songs of Slavery and Emancipation carries crucial history that enlivens our collective memory and helps keep the spirit of resistance strong and moving forward.” - Kali Akuno Executive Director of Cooperation Jackson

Throughout the history of slavery, enslaved people organized resistance, escape, and rebellion. Sustaining them in this struggle was their music, some examples of which are sung to this day. While the existence of enslaved people’s songs, especially spirituals, is well known, their character is often misunderstood. Songs of enslaved people were not only lamentations of suffering or distractions from a life of misery. Some songs openly called for liberty and revolution, celebrating such heroes as Gabriel Prosser and Nat Turner, and, especially, celebrating the Haitian Revolution.

The fight for freedom also included fugitive slaves, free Black people, and their white allies who brought forth a set of songs that were once widely disseminated but are now largely forgotten, the songs of the abolitionists. Often composed by fugitive slaves and free Black people, and first appearing in the eighteenth century, these songs continued to be written and sung until the Civil War. As the movement expanded, abolitionists even published song books used at public meetings. Researcher and producer Mat Callahan presents in this collection recently discovered songs composed by enslaved people explicitly calling for resistance to slavery. Some of the songs originate as early as 1784 and others as late as the Civil War. He also presents long-lost songs of the abolitionist movement, some written by fugitive slaves and free Black people, challenging common misconceptions of abolitionism.

The Songs of Slavery and Emancipation album presents sixteen songs of enslaved people and fifteen abolitionist songs, placing them in proper historical context and making them available again to the general public. These songs not only express outrage at slavery but call for militant resistance and destruction of the slave system. There can be no doubt as to their purpose: the abolition of slavery, the emancipation of African American people, and a clear and undeniable demand for equality and justice for all humanity.

Track List:

Disc 1 Slave Songs

1. Agonizing, Cruel Slavery Days performed by Alden "Max" Smith

2. The Dirge of St. Malo (Louisiana Creole)

3. The Dirge of St. Malo (English) performed by Givonna Joseph vocal Kamau drum

4. Hymn of Freedom

5. Uncle Gabriel the Negro General

6. The Negro's Complaint performed by Berea Songs of Slavery and Emancipation Ensemble

7. Recognition March of the Independance of Hayti performed by Dr. Kathy Bullock piano, Cherokee Griffiths flute, Dr. James Dreiling trumpet

8. The African Hymn

9. Nat Turner

10. My Father, How Long?

11. March On

12. Children, We All Shall Be Free

13. Ol' Massa He Come Dancing Out

14. The Year of Jubilo

15. The Enlisted Men (the Negro Battle Hymn) performed by Berea Songs of Slavery and Emancipation Ensemble

16. Rebeldia na Bandabou Niata, On the tambú (drums) Rendel on the chapi(hoe) Rayson, Ompi tio and Broertje"

Disc 2 Abolitionist Songs

1. Song of the “Aliened American” performed by Sacred Harp singers from Western Massachusetts

2. A Song for Freedom performed by Berea Songs of Slavery and Emancipation Ensemble

3. Stole and Sold From Africa             performed by Hannah From

4. Right On!                                         performed by Sacred Harp singers from Western MA

5. Flight of the Bondman     performed by Bern Ensemble

6. The Underground Railroad performed by Berea Songs of Slavery and Emancipation Ensemble

7. To The White People of America performed by New York Ensemble

8. Liberty performed by  Sacred Harp singers from Western MA

9. The Band of Thieves performed by Bern Ensemble

10. The True Spirit performed by Bluegrass Ensemble Berea College

11. Come Join The Abolitionists     performed by Sacred Harp singers from Western MA

12. The Voice of Six Hundred Thousand Nominally Free   performed by Bern Ensemble

13. We’re Coming! We’re Coming! performed by New York Ensemble

14. Woman's Rights performed by Sacred Harp singers from Western MA

15. What Mean Ye? performed by Sacred Harp singers from Western MA

More information at: ArtHistoryPolitics.com

Album artists are available for performances.

[mollyrosemusic]

Exploring some untapped functions of notation software for my shape-note-singing inspired adaptation of Psalm 117. This Psalm is so straightforward and powerful, to me it calls for nothing more than the plain, raw, beautiful energy of the human voice. #sibelius #shapenote #shapenotesinging #psalm117 #newsong https://www.instagram.com/p/B_m9_IvBy_O/?igshid=1694ngj8fm3rz

[erisis]

We had the “Social” at our house after the singing yesterday! Apparently, the “Social” is generally a traditional part of these multi-day Sacred Harp Conventions, a way to show hospitality to all the visiting singers; and we opted to host the one for the Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention at our big, queer house!! And let me tell you, this one turned into a proper, old school Northampton House Party!!!! With both floors filled with folks having a fine, fun time! Most, I opted to keep my phone well away, and just let events unfold unobserved by any not present. To just be in the glorious moment! So these are just a couple of random shots I took of the singing that broke out upstairs! One of TWO separate singings from different Shape Note books that were going on in adjacent rooms!! (We have good, thick walls!) I love our home!! And I love this community!!!! So much fun! So much LIFE!!!! #sacredharp #shapenote #wmshc #singing #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #westernmass #westernmasssacredharpconvention #social #queer #transwoman #community #tradition #joy #wmshc2023 (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cptf35LMpwF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

Passion and and joy and Canadians and Sacred Harp, oh my!! Post 23 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqVIxJcugiP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

Canadians!!! And other assorted awesome humans at the Western Mass Sacred Harp Conference! Post 22 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing #torontosacredharp (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqTx3cnPlWn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

It’s another good morning remembering the Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention!!! Post 21 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqTEtu8sOdj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

Pulling into the last few photo sets from the Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention! Here’s some more of that serious Shape Note Passion (and joy)!! Post 20 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqRS4I2P8nd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

We’re nearing the end of the Western Mass Sacred Harp Conference pics, and the posts have slowed down a bit while in photographing another (different type of) singing event in upstate New York. But here’s a batch more glorious joy for you! Post 19 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqOWx2FvyvJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

I honestly just love how animated some singers get when they’re leading a song in The Square!!! It’s photographer’s catnip! Post 18 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqL2_V0PDtt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

Passion and Community at The Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention! Post 17 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqLDLTSsRFP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

One more Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention post tonight! With bonus really super cute kids leading a song!! Post 16 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqJ6tGDMvrF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

Aaaaaaaand here’s a drop that includes your Humble Narrator (and Photographer) doing a few of the other things she does!! Being loud and funny and asking for (more) money in my role as Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention Treasurer!! And yes, for you eager eyed WMSHC attendees out there, I have played around with time just a bit in the last few posts. Mostly in the name of having a good key image! (And, in this case, some degree of vanity!) Post 15 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing #transwoman #queerfemme #queercouple (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqJD7V1PV9a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

The entire Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention was a delight to be able to photograph! But there were a few moments that were particularly special to me! Like the photos in this set of my friends Wendy and Mog singing!! They were just both so obviously enjoying the moment! They were radiating joy! It was human sunshine in the square!!! Post 14 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqIRoskOh-B/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[erisis]

One more lovely batch of photos before bed from the Western Mass Sacred Harp Convention! Dream of beauty and joy together! Post 13 of 25 #wmshc2023 #wmshc #sacredharp #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharpsinging #sacredharpconvention #tradsong #westernmass #westernmassachusetts #northampton #joy #singers #community #communitysinging #singing (at Northampton, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqHV4YXsEax/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=