Blob Thing Sings Shape Note from Shenandoah Harmony

Blob Thing so enjoyed singing from The Sacred Harp yesterday that he wanted to come out and sing again.

For the second year running the annual Newcastle Shape Note Singing Day has extended to a weekend.  On the Saturday we sing from The Sacred Harp (1991 Denson edition, for anyone who cares for specifics).  Last year a second day was added and on the Sunday we sang from Shenandoah Harmony, another book from the shape note singing tradition.  It was a success so it was repeated this year and Blob Thing went along to sing.

He really enjoyed himself again.  In general.  But at one point he got really very worried and didn't want to sing.  The song number was called and I opened the book and set it in front of Blob Thing who was sitting on my lap.

He got really excited because the song on the left was called "Amanda" and he thought he might be getting to sing a song about the person who created him.

But then he noticed the words:

Death, like an overflowing stream,

Sweeps us away; our life's a dream,

An empty tale, a morning flow'r,

Cut down and wither'd in an hour.

That seemed like normal lyrics for the song book but they didn't seem to have much to do with Amanda and Blob Thing was disappointed.

But things got far worse than that because the song called wasn't Amanda at all, it was the song on the opposite page, "Despair".

 

Blob Thing got very worried by this song in case the words were true:

O! now Amanda's dead and gone

I'll seek to live unseen, unknown;

O! unlamented let me die,

Let me die.

Steal from the world,

And not a stone tell where I lie,

And not a stone tell where I lie.

It took some time to reassure him that the words weren't true and that his maker was not dead and gone and there was no cause to despair.  Eventually he relaxed and was able to join in with the singing and started to really enjoy himself singing songs with happy titles like "Doomsday".  The wall of sound from the four parts was quite spectacular at times and the harmonies were incredible.  With these videos remember - this stuff is for singing not listening.  One singer said "I would travel a thousand miles to sing it but I wouldn't cross the road to hear it."

Apart from the scary song, Blob Thing had another excellent day out.  He's glad to be home, but he's also glad to have experienced the happiness that singing Shape Note music can bring.  He would advise anyone to try singing it if there's a group near to where they are.  You might find something you love.  If you don't, what's the worst that could happen?  You could have an experience with some nice people and then decide it's not for you. 

Blob Thing Goes Shape Note Singing From the Sacred Harp

Not all posts will be an up to date diary of Blob Thing's adventures.  But for today ...

Today Blob Thing went to the Newcastle All Day Sacred Harp Singing.  He's never been to a singing before and didn't know quite what to expect but he wanted to be able to join in and sing the songs.

He looked through the book on the Metro on the way to the singing and was a bit confused by the music.  He's not to used to the notes being written as shapes.

He did his best at the singing and people appreciated him.  He sat on my lap all the way through each singing session and did his best.  But he doesn't know the songs and isn't good at sight singing music.  And he didn't quite get why we sang funny syllables for the tunes before starting on the words.

He did have a good time though and enjoyed singing as much as he can and listening to the rest.  His absolute favourite harmony moment was while singing Cobb (313b).   Those clashes in the last notes brought joy to an already joyful Blob Thing.  Have a listen if you dare.  But know that Shape Note is for singing not listening and that one is a far more enjoyable experience than the other.  He also found it quite amusing that some of the songs are named after countries.

If you want to know more about Shape Note singing - and Blob Thing does - the main UK site is here.  Go for it!  No experience is needed.  You don't have to be a wonderful singer.  You won't be charged for anything at all unless you enjoy it and want to buy a book, which isn't that expensive for a nearly 600 page large, well bound hardback.  And wherever you sing, the singers are friendly.