Old Harp Singing, Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church

© Great Smoky Mountains Association 2013. Great singing at the Primitive Baptist Church in Cades Cove! This kind of music is called “Old Harp“ or shape note singing. It dates back to about 1800 and was a technique for instructing singers on how to read music and improve congregational singing using do-ra-mi (and so on) to learn the tune. Nowadays in our area, the Sevier County Old Harp Singers enjoy great fellowship as they keep this spiritual tradition alive. Even yesterday’s heavy rain couldn’t dampen their spirits. If you’ve never head this type of music, have a listen! Feel free to embed or link to our videos on your website or blog as long as you include this copyright notice: “© GSMA 2013. All rights reserved. “ and a link to our website: .