The last few months have not been my favorite. Work was more stressful than usual for quite awhile, and a string of medical issues had me so stressed that I gave myself hyperthyroidism — that’s right, I turn stressing into a professional sport. Add to that the fact that the medicine I was on made me feel so crappy that I couldn’t attend the 158th Annual East Texas Sacred Harp Convention, and you’ve got a recipe for a minor breakdown.
I miss singing. I miss my Sacred Harp family. And now the last weekend in September — when the Southwest Texas Convention happens in Austin — seems so far away. The only thing that’s keeping me going right now is the Civil Wars’ new album (seriously, go listen to it now!) and a song called “Fa, Sol, La” by a group called Finest Kind.
Fa, Sol, La
While walking out one evening
In a little southern town
I saw some signs upon a fence
And looked them up and down
And there among the notices
For auction sales and cars
Was a poster that read FA, SOL, LA
Folks said that in the morning
There would be a special sing
For all the folks that lived in town
And friends that they might bring
The singers each would have a chance
To lead their favorite tune
And they would sing all day up in the hall
With pot luck lunch at noon
Chorus:
And they would sing: FA, LA, SOL
And make the rafters ring
Like they did so long ago
Their hearts would fill with joy and love
To sing in praise of God above
And sing out with a LA, SOL, FA
Next morning I went to the hall
And found a vacant chair
The singers were assembled
Sitting in a hollow square
A book they called the Sacred Harp
Was put into my hand
The notes were written all in shapes
I couldn’t understand
Chorus:
And they were FA: FA, LA, SOL
They helped the singers read the music
Like so long ago
Triangle, circle, diamond, square,
Those were the notes that they read there
And named them with a LA, SOL, FA
An old man rose and walked into
The center of the square
He called for silence, bowed his head
And said a little prayer
He thumbed the pages in his book
And called a number out
And gave the parts their LA, SOL, FA
Chorus:
And they Sang FA: FA, LA, SOL
Their voices joined in harmony
Their faces all aglow
Each singer was a child of grace
Soprano, alto, tenor, bass
As they sang out their LA, SOL, FA
The singing was so sweet in heart
It took my breath away
I sang along as best I could
All through that glorious day
From Wondrous Love to Parting Hand
We sang them all day long
But I do believe that Showers of Blessings
Was my favorite song
He sends His show’rs of blessing down
To cheer the plains below;
He makes the grass the mountains crown;
And corn in valleys grow.
My friends if you should ever find
This world is not your home
You’ve lost your faith in God or Man
And think you’re all alone
Or else you’ve met such happiness
That music fills your heart
Whether you are feeling joy or woe
Sing from the Sacred Harp
Chorus:
Just sing FA: FA, LA, SOL
And join the gospel choir
That began so long ago
In city, town or village square
You just might find them anywhere
They’re singing with a LA, SOL, FA
In city, town or village square
You just might find them anywhere
They’re singing with a LA, SOL, FA
This video is a tribute to Jeff and Shelbie Sheppard, the former of whom passed away a couple of weeks ago.
Whether you are feeling joy or woe…
This song hit me like a ton of bricks. It sums up perfectly how I came across Sacred Harp by accident, and fell completely in love. It explains why my favorite lyrics come to me in moments of joy and sorrow.
I don’t really know where I’m going with this; it’s late and I’m exhausted. I guess I just wanted to share this song with you in hopes that it ignites your happiness the way it ignites mine.
Sing on!
I was blessed to go to Henderson and sing 2 days and Saturday night, too. I am sorry you didn’t get to go!! I discovered Sacred harp two years ago this spring and your sentiments are mine exactly. I hope you feel better soon and will be praying for your spirits to lift as well. Keep those spirits up and God willing, I will sing with you in Austin!
I went to Henderson in 2012 and loved it so much. It was the biggest singing I’ve ever been to — it was so loud, I loved it. 🙂
Thank you for your prayers, Suzan, they are very much appreciated. I would love to sing with you in Austin! I’ll be in the Tenor section, sticking as close to Leon Ballinger as I can — the man sounds like a foghorn and is so fun to sit next to.
I, too, found Sacred Harp by accident (if accidents truly happen), but I can’t find a group to sing with. I found a group some years ago, but they were not very welcoming, which seems very odd compared to what I’ve heard and seen online. Plus it is quite a distance from my house.
I’ve always toyed with the idea of starting one in my area, but don’t know how to begin. I’m such a novice, I could never teach anyone how to sing Sacred Harp. I could use some lessons myself. And I’m leery of putting an ad in the paper, don’t know what kind of response that would get.
Any ideas. I so want to sing with a good group. Right now, I sing along with the CD that came with my copy of Awake My Soul. And any other groups I find on youtube (love the Cork group!)
Anyway, I think I know how you feel about this wonderful music, especially singing it.
~gloria
I’m not sure I believe in accidents, especially when it comes to Sacred Harp. The more I learn about and sing it, the more I realize it’s been in my life since I was a kid — the photo on this post is of a 1907 Cooper book that belonged to my great-grandmother; several books and hymns from my childhood incorporate songs that are also Sacred Harp.
I know what you mean about not being sure how to get started — the idea of starting a new group is daunting, especially when you haven’t been singing it your whole life.
As a first step, maybe you could sign up for one of the mailing lists. Info about singings goes out to this list frequently, and maybe you could send an email to the whole list asking for help. You’re right that your experience will a less-than-welcoming group is unusual for Sacred Harp; but everyone on the list seems kind and helpful. The link to sign up is here: http://fasola.org/community/lists/
If you’re in Texas you should come to the Austin singing in September.
Okay, I get it now. I LOVE THIS SONG!
I’m listening to it (and the Civil Wars album) a little obsessively. 😉