Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Thursday, July 7

The 8th annual Shape Note Gathering began on Thursday morning with an introduction to the history of shape notes and singing schools, a brief singing school, and a review of selected Yankee tunesmith biographies.

On Thursday evening, leaders selected songs from the Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition, the B. F. White Sacred Harp, Cooper Revision (CB), the Christian Harmony, Deason-Parris Revision (CHa), the Walker Christian Harmony (CH), Cayce’s Good Old Songs (GOS), the Missouri Harmony (MH), Daily’s Primitive Baptist Hymn and Tune Book (D), and the Black Mississippi Shape Note tradition (BM).

Gaylon Powell welcomed the class and led 59. Charley Sandage offered the opening prayer, and appointed Gaylon Powell to moderate the Shape Note Gathering. Nancy Hogan was appointed as Secretary.

Leaders: Dan Brittain 34 (MH); Bill Hogan 214 (CH); Holly Ruth Gale 155; Charley Sandage 282 (GOS); Nancy Hogan 149 (CHa); Kristie Powell 203 (CB), Kevan Barley 85; Charlie Mink 541 (GOS); Glynn Garrett 63; Gaylon Powell “To Canaan’s Land, I’m On My Way (BM); Dan Brittain 22 (MH); Bill Hogan 133 (CHa), Holly Ruth Gale 26 (D); Charley Sandage 155 (GOS); Nancy Hogan 543 (CB), Kristie Powell 133 (CB); Charlie Mink 612 (GOS); Glynn Garrett 19 (?); Gaylon Powell 559 (CB); Dan Brittain 208b (CH); Bill Hogan “John Knew” (BM); Holly Ruth Gale 358; Charley Sandage 171 (CB); Nancy Hogan 95b (CB); Kristie Powell 138t (CB); Gaylon Powell 555 (GOS). Bill Hogan closed with prayer.

Friday, July 8

A welcome was given by Holly Ruth Gale and Charley Sandage. Featured leaders were Dan Brittain and Laura Boosinger. Dan Brittain opened the day with a brief history of the Missouri Harmony and led 23 (MH), 24 (MH), 26 (MH), 27 (MH), 30 (MH), 31 (MH), 33 (MH), and 35 (MH).

Laura Boosinger talked about the traditions of the North Carolina “Walker” Christian Harmony and led 58b (CH), 258 (CH), 360 (CH), 208b (CH), 214 (CH), and 217 (CH).

LUNCH

Featured leaders for the afternoon session were Gaylon Powell, Dan Brittain, Bill Hogan, and Charley Sandage. Gaylon Powell introduced the Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition, and led 37b, 31t, 155, 412, 180. Dan Brittain led 63, 378t, 73t, and 31b.

Bill Hogan introduced the Parris-Deason “Alabama” Christian Harmony”, and led 372 (CHa), 54 (CHa), 354 (CHa), 64 (CHa), 180 (CHa), 51 (CHa), 307 (CHa), 316 (CHa), 168 (CHa), and 133 (CHa).

RECESS

Charley Sandage presented the seven shape system using the “Cayce Book” Good Old Songs and the Dailey Hymn Book, and led 352 (GOS), 235 (GOS), 541 (GOS) and 463 (GOS).

Gaylon Powell completed the afternoon with the B.F. White Sacred Harp, Cooper Revision, and led 138t (CB), 500 (CB), 53 (CB), 563 (CB), 543 (CB), 393t (CB), 484 (CB), 98 (CB), and 95t (CB). Bill Hogan and Nancy Hogan led “Lord, Give Me Just A Little More Time” (Wiregrass).

Saturday, July 9

Gaylon Powell called the class together leading 507b (CB). Kevan Bailey offered the opening prayer. Leaders: Dan Brittain 13 (MH); Bill Hogan 128t (CH), Laura Boosinger 217 (CH); Charley Sandage 277 (GOS); Holly Ruth Gale 155; Nancy Hogan 189 (CHa); Eddie Huckaby 159b (CH); Andrew Albers 559 (CB), Anita Buswell 85; Charlie Mink 285 (GOS); Kristie Powell 273 (CB); Kevan Bailey 524 (GOS).

RECESS

Gaylon Powell called the class to order by leading “Victory in Jesus” (BM). Leaders: Dan Brittain 113 (MH); Bill Hogan 203 (CHa); Laura Boosinger 159 (CH); Charley Sandage 239 (GOS); Holly Ruth Gale 171 (CB); Nancy Hogan 91 (CHa); Eddie Huckaby “I’ll Have a New Life” (BM); Andrew Albers 519 (CB); Anita Buswell 87; Charlie Mink 612 (GOS); Kristie Powell 411 (CB); Kevan Bailey 264 (CHa); Laura Boosinger 106 (CH). Andrew Albers offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Gaylon Powell opened the afternoon session by leading 511t (CB). Leaders: Bill Hogan 277; Charley Sandage 555 (GOS); Holly Ruth Gale 63; Nancy Hogan 59; Eddie Huckaby 339 (GOS); Andrew Albers 133 (CHa); Anita Buswell 410 (CB); Kristie Powell 378t; Kevan Bailey 289b (CH); Glynn Garrett 73t; Lonnie Williams “Just Over in Gloryland” (BM); Cliff Hall 34 (MH).

RECESS

Gaylon Powell led 82t (CHa). Leaders: Bill Hogan “Lord, Give Me Just A Little More Time” (Wiregrass); Charley Sandage 155 (GOS); Holly Ruth Gale 276 (CB); Nancy Hogan 49t; Eddie Huckaby 341 (CH); Andrew Albers 416 (CB); Anita Buswell 358; Kristie Powell 558 (CB); Kevan Bailey 360 (CH); Glynn Garrett 98 (CB); Lonnie Williams “To Canaan’s Land I’m On My Way” (BM).

Announcements were made. Gaylon Powell, Holly Ruth Gale, Bill Hogan and Charley Sandage led 46 as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Bill Hogan.

Moderator—Gaylon Powell; Secretary—Nancy Hogan