The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #117785   Message #2539633
Posted By: Azizi
14-Jan-09 - 10:19 AM
Thread Name: Black Church Services
Subject: RE: Black Church Services
Here are some links to a few other videos of African American choir processionals:

Gospel Choir Song - I Love to Praise Him

"General Assembly Apostolic National Youth Choir, Presiding Pastor - Bishop J Downie. This was recorded at our Holy Convocation May 2006
Gospel Song I Love to Praise Him - Marvin Sapp"

-snip-


Choir Entrance

"Price AME 60th Anniversary Service
Sunday, 9.16.07"

[This processional is done to live organ music and tamborines. At first glance, the choir members look like they are just walking up to the choir stand. But if you continue looking, you can see that they are actually moving to the beat. Other videos that I've viewed of this church show this particular custom of the choir standing facing right before they face forward and sing. I'm not sure why this is. This video also includes a clip of the choir and congregation singing the hymn "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow".

This song appears to have been the first congregational song sung in a number of Black Christian church services. However, nowadays "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" isn't necessarily sung at the beginning of the Black {Baptist} church services, or at any other time in the church service.

-snip-

That said, as a reminder, I'm posting these links to videos with a focus on the traditions of Black church processionals, and other church customs, and not as examples of particular songs.