Title
Prays Recording, August 18, 2009
Contributor
Crawford, Eric
Files
Date
8-16-2009
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Description
A prays recording, led by Deacon James Garfield Smalls. The location is undetermined, but would likely be Mary Jenkins or Croft Prays House, which Smalls led. Deacon Smalls both leads the order of the service, and raises many of the songs. The harmonies and counter melodies are among the most complex and clear of all of the recordings. A female voice is heard leading the hymn, with complex harmonies following. Smalls then instructs Crawford how to read a hymn, so then the congregation can read it. They sing "I couldn't hear nobody pray," "Oh wither shall I go," Smalls reflects on the passage of Elijah and Alisha, "Don't break the bread, child, til I get there." Crawford explains his research on spirituals and his purpose for recording.
Subject
Spirituals (Songs)--Sea Islands;Hymns--South Carolina--Saint Helena Island;Sacred vocal music--Sea Islands;Gullahs--South Carolina--Saint Helena Island--Religion;Sea Islands--Religious life and customs;Saint Helena Island (S.C.)--Religious life and customs;Field recordings--South Carolina;Sermons;Prayers;Praise houses;Smalls, James Garfield, 1920-2020;Saint Helena Island (S.C.)
Keywords
Prays house, praise house
Rights
This interview is protected by the copyright of the interviewee and The Athenaeum Press at Coastal Carolina University. Any form of alteration, reproduction or commercial use of the interviews or other material is prohibited without the written consent of both the interviewee and a representative of The Athenaeum Press. Citations for scholarly purposes must clearly acknowledge the name of the interviewee, the date and The Athenaeum Press at Coastal Carolina University.
Duration
37:54