Sing from the Sacred Harp

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!