Most of the Sacred Harp singings in New England today use the 1991 edition of the Sacred Harp, which supplements the old favorites with peices written by singers alive today. Many New Englanders also use the most recent editions of Vermont Harmony (versions 3 or 4, although 4 is really more like 3.1) and also. sometimes, Christian Harmony. Other books get used in different parts of the country, including Old Columbia Harp and Southern Harmony. And some singings encourage original pieces, newly composed and brought in by the regulars. Writing the material is quite an ongoing, alive treadition. If you go to one of the listings of all of the singings in the country (start at www.fasola.org and follow the links), you'll find that each singing lists the books it commonly uses. But the 1991 edition is the most common these days.

--Charlie Baum