Great River Road Singing (multi-book)

Jordan's Chapel and Old Courthouse Museum
Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi
Saturday, October 25, 2003

I have put this Vicksburg singing as a predecessor of what started as the Holt Collier/Mississippi Bear Hunt Memorial Singing (in 2007). Same people, same location, trying to get something started.—Ed.

The class was called together at Jordan's Chapel by John Merritt, leading 377 (OSH), Angel Band, and 29b, Entreaty.
Randy McCollum offered the opening prayer. Gordon Cotton gave a message of welcome and led 218 (OSH).
Singing was from The B. F. White Sacred Harp (Cooper Book), 2000 Revision, The Christian Harmony ('Alabama book', Deason-Parris revision, 2002 printing), and Old School Hymnal, 11th edition.

Leaders:
564, Sweet Home - John Merritt
470, There We Our Jesus Shall Adore (Sardis) - Wanda Gregg
143, Pleyel's Hymn Second
76, ('t'op or 'b'ottom?) - Brenda Merritt
142, Stratfield
573, Trusting Jesus - Mike McNeil
522, Shades of Night
146, Hallelujah - Paul Figura
575, Davis (Lonsdale)
574, Sweet Peace - A.E. Probst
239, David's Lamentation
497, The Bitter Cup - Nancy Van Den Akker
38t, Sessions - John Van Horn
36b, Ninety-fifth Psalm
82t, Bound for Canaan - Mark Davis and Bobby Caldwell
54t, Palmetto.

RECESS

The class was called back to order with John Merritt leading 243b, To Thee I Call (Hingham).
Leaders:
128, The Promised Land - Mark Davis
154b, Eden
505, Cleansing Fountain - Ester Mann and Mark Davis
484, My Country Tis of Thee (America)
288, White - Jean Gray
358, Murillo's Lesson
559, Will You Meet Me? - Barbara McNeil and Mike McNeil
571, Not Made With Hands
388, The Happy Sailor - Ann Fox and Paul Figura
507b, The Glory of the Cross.

Gordon Cotton offered some remarks on reviving the tradition of Sacred Harp singing in the area, and a small group sang    “Who Will Sing for Me”.
John Merritt asked the blessing on the noon meal.

LUNCH

The class reconvened at the Old Courthouse Museum where Gordon Cotton, the curator, offered a welcome to members of the local community who had come to listen, and led an opening prayer.

Leaders:
59, Lord, Revive Us (Holy Manna) - John Merritt
49t, Old Hundred
155, How Long Dear Saviour (Northfield) - Mark Davis
200, With Songs and Honors (Edom)
572, We Will Sing With the Angels There - Mark Davis and Natalie Davis
132, Evening Shade - John Van Horn
488b, Nearer, My God, to Thee
204t (AL), What a Day - Mike McNeil
47 (AL), Panting for Heaven
38b, The Road to Life and Death - Bobby Caldwell and Mark Davis
216t (AL), O, Save
63, Coronation - Jean Gray
127, Green Fields
54t, Palmetto - Barbara McNeil
559, Will You Meet Me?
229, The Great Roll Call - Nancy Van Den Akker
192, Schenectady
101t, Canaan's Land - Paul Figura
40, Blow Ye the Trumpet
159, Wondrous Love - A.E. Probst and John Merritt
45b, Supplication
107, Rock of Ages - Ann Fox and Paul Figura
484, My Country Tis of Thee (America) - Shirley Figura
543b, Consecration - Brenda Merritt
47b, Indumea (sic)
235b, The Resurrection (Easter Anthem) - John Van Horn
239, David's Lamentation - Wanda Gregg
451, Martin - Ester Mann
171, Exhortation
   “Nothing But the Blood” - John Merritt
571, Not Made With Hands
117 (AL), Angel Band
331t, The Father's Boundless… (Columbiana) - John Merritt and Brenda Merritt.

Gordon Cotton extended an invitation to hold a singing at the museum next year, and closed the singing with prayer.

Chairman—John Merritt; Secretary—Nancy Van Den Akker.