Shape-Note Folk
tagStarted 1844Peak 1844–1910Last big hit still activeFrom US South, United States
Located in 1 route
Understanding the genre
Shape-note folk is communal sacred singing organized around shape-note tunebooks, hollow-square arrangement, strong open-throated parts, and powerful collective volume.
History
Books such as The Sacred Harp and Southern Harmony spread shape-note practice widely in the 19th century, and the tradition remained especially strong in the South while revivals later carried it farther afield.
Defining artists
Essential listening
- Idumea— The Sacred Harp SingersSpotifyYouTube
- Wondrous Love— Alabama Sacred Harp SingersSpotifyYouTube
- Amazing Grace— United Sacred Harp Musical AssociationSpotifyYouTube
- Northfield— Wiregrass Sacred Harp SingersSpotifyYouTube
- Lone Pilgrim— The Doc Watson FamilySpotifyYouTube
- Babylon Is Fallen— Northern HarmonySpotifyYouTube
Sources
- Library of Congress
- Smithsonian Folkways
- NPS
- Britannica. citeturn16search0turn8search6turn7search1