Christian Harmony
Encyclopedia
The Christian Harmony is a shape note
hymn and tune book compiled by William Walker
. The book was released in 1866¹. It is part of the larger tradition of shape note singing.
The same title had previously been used by the early New England composer Jeremiah Ingalls
in 1805 for his The Christian Harmony; or, Songster's Companion. In 2005 Thomas B. Malone edited and published a four-shape version for the Jeremiah Ingalls Society Bicentennial Singing in Newbury, Vermont. This edition is increasingly in use in New England singings.
, and grew up near Spartanburg. He became a Baptist
song leader and shape note "singing master". Walker and Benjamin Franklin White
, publisher of the Sacred Harp
, married sisters. In 1835, Walker published a tunebook entitled Southern Harmony
in the four-shape notation. He incorporated over half of the contents of this Southern Harmony in his Christian Harmony in 1866. For the Christian Harmony, Walker changed from the "four-note" system to the "seven-shape" system. Retaining the original four shapes of the Southern Harmony, he devised three other shapes of his own. In explaining his change from the four-shape system which he had previously championed, Walker explained that parents wouldn't name seven children with only four names. A second edition was released in 1873. William Walker died on September 24, 1875.
" edition and the "Alabama
" edition. The book used in western North Carolina and adjacent areas is a 1994 reprint of Walker's 1873 edition of the Christian Harmony. None of the old songs were changed in the new reprint - four songs and some commentary were added. The "Alabama" edition is a line of revision of the Christian Harmony book in 1958. The work was carried out under the leadership of O. A. Parris and John H. Deason. This edition utilizes the seven-shape system of Jesse B. Aiken. This was an adaptation because Aiken's system was the most common among gospel singers in the South. In addition to changing to the Aiken notation, the 1958 revision deleted some songs and added new ones. It is used mainly in Alabama and Mississippi. A revision of the "Alabama" book was released in 1994, with a few song changes and corrections, and again in 2002.
Shape note
Shape notes are a music notation designed to facilitate congregational and community singing. The notation, introduced in 1801, became a popular teaching device in American singing schools...
hymn and tune book compiled by William Walker
William Walker (composer)
William Walker was an American Baptist song leader, shape note "singing master", and compiler of four shape note tunebooks, most notable of which was The Southern Harmony.-Life:...
. The book was released in 1866¹. It is part of the larger tradition of shape note singing.
The same title had previously been used by the early New England composer Jeremiah Ingalls
Jeremiah Ingalls
Jeremiah Ingalls was born Andover, Massachusetts March 1, 1764 and died in Hancock, Vermont, April 6, 1838. He was one of the first American composers, and is considered among the First New England School.-Biography:...
in 1805 for his The Christian Harmony; or, Songster's Companion. In 2005 Thomas B. Malone edited and published a four-shape version for the Jeremiah Ingalls Society Bicentennial Singing in Newbury, Vermont. This edition is increasingly in use in New England singings.
Origin
William Walker was born in 1809 in South CarolinaSouth Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, and grew up near Spartanburg. He became a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
song leader and shape note "singing master". Walker and Benjamin Franklin White
Benjamin Franklin White
Benjamin Franklin White was a shape note "singing master", and compiler of the shape note tunebook known as The Sacred Harp. He was born near Cross Keys in Union County, South Carolina, the twelfth child of Robert and Mildred White.-Musical career:White and Elisha J...
, publisher of the Sacred Harp
Sacred Harp
Sacred Harp singing is a tradition of sacred choral music that took root in the Southern region of the United States. It is part of the larger tradition of shape note music.- The music and its notation :...
, married sisters. In 1835, Walker published a tunebook entitled Southern Harmony
Southern Harmony
The Southern Harmony is a shape note hymn and tune book compiled by William Walker. The book was released in 1835 under the full title of The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion. It is part of the larger tradition of shape note singing....
in the four-shape notation. He incorporated over half of the contents of this Southern Harmony in his Christian Harmony in 1866. For the Christian Harmony, Walker changed from the "four-note" system to the "seven-shape" system. Retaining the original four shapes of the Southern Harmony, he devised three other shapes of his own. In explaining his change from the four-shape system which he had previously championed, Walker explained that parents wouldn't name seven children with only four names. A second edition was released in 1873. William Walker died on September 24, 1875.
Later Editions
The Christian Harmony is currently available in two editions - the "CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
" edition and the "Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
" edition. The book used in western North Carolina and adjacent areas is a 1994 reprint of Walker's 1873 edition of the Christian Harmony. None of the old songs were changed in the new reprint - four songs and some commentary were added. The "Alabama" edition is a line of revision of the Christian Harmony book in 1958. The work was carried out under the leadership of O. A. Parris and John H. Deason. This edition utilizes the seven-shape system of Jesse B. Aiken. This was an adaptation because Aiken's system was the most common among gospel singers in the South. In addition to changing to the Aiken notation, the 1958 revision deleted some songs and added new ones. It is used mainly in Alabama and Mississippi. A revision of the "Alabama" book was released in 1994, with a few song changes and corrections, and again in 2002.