SKU: GI.G-CD-605
Composed by Various.
Sacred. CD. GIA
Publications #605.
Published by GIA
Publications
(GI.G-CD-605).
Prayer and
praise hymns have become
an integral part of the
sacred hymnody of the
African American
religious experience.
Twenty years after the
Emancipation, the
children of the slaves
found themselves living
in the reality of
separateness, and their
religious practice turned
increasingly inward. A
unique body of hymnody
grew out of that period,
approximately
1885–1925. These
are songs of Southern
origin, of a rural people
working the land. These
songs are different from
spirituals and Black
meter music, yet show
their influences. These
songs are Bible-based,
highly repetitive in
accord with the nature of
oral tradition, and of
anonymous authorship.
Wyatt Tee Walker has
researched this segment
of the history of African
American church music
more than any other known
scholar. His original
three paperback volumes
have been edited and
combined by James
Abbington into this
clothbound edition worthy
of its historical and
musical significance. The
book now includes a
recording of the
twenty-four selected
“prayer and
praise†hymns
researched by Rev. Dr.
Walker. This exciting CD
highlights not only the
hymns, but the singing
style of the period as
well, being faithful to
the impromptu harmonies
and dissonance brought
about by inspired song. A
separate songbook for
choirs and congregations
is also available, making
this valuable repertoire
accessible for use in
Sunday worship.