3 French Hens

 

       One of the singing traditions unique to North America is that of the shape-note singing tradition. This was a strategy that differentiated notes on the staff by shape in order to help non-educated people learn to read music. It went hand in hand with solfege which was simply the visual format. 

      The handbook for shape note singers was a large, horizontally positioned volume titled "The Sacred Harp" after the philosophy that the voice was a harp of the highest and most holiest kind: a Sacred harp.

      The Carol I wish to share with you today is from that lovely tradition. It was a tradition with simple words and even simpler melodies. The harmonies were straight-forward and easy to learn. Combined, the sound was unusual but not unpleasant to the ear and gained a distinctive quality that one learns to recognize after a while.

       I have done some shape note singing with a local group in the past and have enjoyed the experience. 

I first heard this particular carol on a lovely CD given to us by good friends of ours and had to put it on youtube so you all could hear it too since it isn't to be found anywhere. Also, It's simple, but beautiful, like the people who made it popular. The carol might not be a good guide deep theology but the message is clear. We ourselves should be praising our Lord for the glorious gift of His son.

    Only two days left!

          ~ Christianna