Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - Sherburne

from Where Will You Be Christmas Day? by Various Artists

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The tune to "Sherburne" was written by Daniel Read in 1783. "Sherburne" is a distinctive setting of the popular English carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night." It's part of what's called "sacred harp" in the South, a community choral tradtion that dates back to singing schools founded before the Civil War. The hymnal, called The Sacred Harp, displays notes on a conventional staff in varying shapes. What would normally be the first verse is actually the singing of the notes, fa so la, prior to the hymn itself.

lyrics

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around

credits

from Where Will You Be Christmas Day?, released October 12, 2004
by Alabama Sacred Harp Singers
Eugene Dawson - leader.
Fyffe, Alabama, September 13, 1959.

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