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Last Fourth of July I went with a crowd of friends to the show at the Capital,
in DC, (who can pass up a chance to see Florence Henderson) and watch the
fire works. The Festival of American Folk life was being held on the Mall
and my family and I arrived in time to visit the tents celebrating sacred
music. We sat down at the end of a set by Caribbean musicians. When they
were done a young man in his 20's and a women about my own age took the stage.
My mountaineer's sixth sense told me they were West Virginian - they were.
They were announced as singers from an a cappella tradition. I know instantly
they were from the Church of Christ.
They sang "How Great Thou Art", inviting the crowd to join in, and between
the four of us (my wife and I were the only ones to accept the invitation)
we covered all the parts. After the song a well dressed, well educated, Miss
Jane Hathaway look-alike interviewed then. They were from the Fourteen Mile
Church of Christ in Lincoln County, West Virginia. As a boy preacher I spoke
at the Ten Mile Church (as you have guessed, just four miles away) The lady
was fascinated that they instinctively sung harmony so well. She asked then
how they learned this. The singer explained how Churches of Christ have
congregational singing, how you grow up learning the songs and the parts
by heart. They sang "Bright Morning Stars are Rising", which I love because
the base line is like a Bach continua. She saw their a Capella singing as
a national treasure - like Grandma Moses Painting, and Amish quilt, or a
Shaker Chair.
Unfortunately no one was there to explain to the lady that the Churches of
Christ aren't just a bunch of Shaped-note-singing hicks from West Virginia,
or Texas, or Oklahoma anymore. No one told her we're headed boldly into the
21st Century. We have web-sites. We're Quickly outgrowing the narrow opinion
that restricted our sacred music to congregational, and a capella singing.
The winds of renewal are blowing. No one was there to explain that to the
lady with the tailored suit, and the ivy league intonations, so you and I
wouldn't be embarrassed.
I am glad.
I am glad because the audience was left with a music that was completely
other, that was ancient. I was glad that the lady was told how the early
church sang that way. I was glad because the singers, and their songs were
unique - the way salt and light are unique.
I was glad because there was no proof texts or slogans slung around, and
no words of condemnation - only an unashamed explanation of who we are and
why we are.
I was glad because the shaped-note-singing hicks from wherever, if their
song is sung with the meekness of Christ, are likely closer to the first
century than the 21st.
-Barry Bryson |
