There is no blend. Everyone seems to be trying to shout louder than his neighbor. I was always taught "no louder than lovely" and that ifcyou can't hear the other parts you are singing too loudly. There also seems to be no sense of trying to bring out the meaning of the words. There is furthermore no sense of LINE. It is all note.note.note. No attempt to make a conbection.
Was it necessary to SCREAM through it? I hear no attempt to capture any of the nuances of either the text or the music, no any attempt for the voices to BLEND--each individual singer seems to be trying to sing louder than his/her neighbor. These kids do a much better job: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cGUpwEWLZxU.htmlsi=2EEo5d6DtZACwtRU
I grew up with this music. Second Creek Baptist Church in South central Tennessee. People from all around would gather round for dinner outside under the trees, no air conditioners, the Ladies all had their 'funeral home fans' and I remember all my folks getting up to lead a song or two. Mother started teaching me to sing the shaped notes. Oh how I miss my family in the circle singing praises to God and enjoying the sweet fellowship and the joy we shared.
There are two distinctive voices, not one. One is Magdalena Gryszko from the other Idumea video. She's over on the left somewhere out of shot. You can also see her leading the same piece on a video from Warsaw. The wilder voice doing the little trills is over on the right somewhere. They sound like they're singing really high but it's not actually that high. I love it. Little did they know they'd have such an effect on people.
I'm a proud West Virginian from Stong scots,irish, and welsh stock. My family came to North America in 1635. We've been here for 389 years . This song makes me think of all my family and friends and pastors waiting for me in heaven. I've been a christian for over 52 years. Yes, I want to go home and see my family and friends. Most of all, I can't wait to see my savior. That will truly be me reward.
I'm an atheist, so the religious aspect of this is pretty lost on me, but I still absolutely adore this type of singing. Maybe it's cause I used to go to church and it reminds me of the choir? IDK.
My group (Kaw Valley Shape Note Singing Assoc. in Kansas) sang this one at our singing yesterday and it’s quickly becoming my favorite Sacred Harp hymn. 😊 After watching ALL of the videos on RU-vid of the hymn Africa, (including all of the Ireland conventions where this was sung) this video is my favorite. Absolutely breathtaking. Sounds like Angels in Heaven to me.
Here's the words: The day is past and gone, The evening shades appear; Oh may we all remember well, The night of death is near. We lay our garments by, Upon our beds to rest: So death will soon disrobe us all, Of what we here possess.
Words: God of my life, look gently down, Behold the pains I feel; But I am dumb before Thy throne, Nor dare dispute Thy will. I’m but a sojourner below, As all my fathers were; May I be well prepared to go When I the summons hear. But if my life be spared awhile, Before my last remove, Thy praise shall be my bus’ness still And I’ll declare Thy love.
And am I born to die? To lay this body down! And must my trembling spirit fly Into a world unknown? A land of deepest shade, Unpierced by human thought; The dreary regions of the dead, Where all things are forgot! Soon as from earth I go, What will become of me? Eternal happiness or woe Must then my portion be! Waked by the trumpet sound, I from my grave shall rise; And see the Judge with glory crowned, And see the flaming skies!
Glorious things of Thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God! He whose word can ne’er be broken, Formed thee for His own abode. Chorus: On the Rock of Ages founded, Who can shake thy sure repose? With salvation’s walls surrounded, Thou mayst smile at all thy foes. ’Round her habitation hov’ring, See the cloud and fire appear, For a glory and a cov’ring, Showing that the Lord is near. (Chorus)
Farewell, vain world! I’m going home! My Savior smiles and bids me come, And I don’t care to stay here long! Sweet angels beckon me away, To sing God’s praise in endless day, And I don’t care to stay here long! Chorus: Right up yonder, Christians, away up yonder; Oh, yes, my Lord, for I don’t care to stay here long. I’m glad that I am born to die, From grief and woe my soul shall fly, And I don’t care to stay here long! Bright angels shall convey me home, Away to New Jerusalem, And I don’t care to stay here long! (Chorus)
Beneath the sacred throne of God I saw a river rise; The streams where peace and pard’ning blood Descended from the skies. I stood amazed and wondered when Or why this ocean rose; That wafts salvation down to man, His traitors and His foes. That sacred flood from Jesus’ veins Was free to make away; And Mary’s or Manasseh’s stains, Or sins more vile than they
Hail the day so long expected, Hail the year of full release. Zion’s walls are now erected, And her watchmen publish peace. Through our Shiloh’s wide dominion, Hear the trumpet loudly roar, Babylon is fallen to rise no more. All her merchants stand with wonder, What is this that comes to pass: Murm’ring like the distant thunder, Crying, “Oh alas, alas.” Swell the sound, ye kings and nobles, Priest and people, rich and poor; Babylon is fallen to rise no more. Blow the trumpet in Mount Zion, Christ shall come a second time; Ruling with a rod of iron All who now as foes combine. Babel’s garments we’ve rejected, And our fellowship is o’er, Babylon is fallen to rise no more.
