Sacred Harp singing is a tradition of sacred choral music that originated in the
American South. The name is derived from
The Sacred Harp, a historically important tunebook printed in
shape notes published in 1844 and represents one branch of an older tradition of American music that developed over the period 1770 to 1820 in
New England.This music was included in books using the
shape note style of notation popular in America in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Sacred Harp music is performed a cappella (voice only, without instruments) and originated as
Protestant Christian music.
