I'm Holdin On To My Faith
Some of you know that some years back I co-wrote with CeCe Winans her autobiography On A Positive Note. In writing the book I got to spend lots of time with CeCe and her musical family and learned a lot about the cruel business of making and selling music in America. I learned how much more cruel the business can be to black women performers. Because I'm a scholar I couldn't just sit down and write about CeCe's journey as a singer, as though she emerged ex nihilo without influence from other women singers. I had to learn everything I could about the history of the industry, the history of blacks in the business, and in particular the rise and fall of black women gospel singers. A whole shelf of books in my study is devoted to the many women in the gospel and pop musical industry I stayed up reading about while working on CeCe's autobiography: from Bessie Smith, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston on one end, to Clara Ward, Mahalia Jackson, and Tramaine Hawkins on the other end.
Having read young Keke Palmer's letter to Gina over at What About Our Daughters about her battle with record labels who now insist that for young black girls like herself to get a record deal they must agree to sing sexually mature lyrics (a.k.a. urban music), I decided to close out this Friday with a video clip of a not so well known female gospel group from back in the day that my mother loved listening to, the Gospel Harmonettes. Here Dorothy Lovecoates and the Gospel Harmonettes are singing "I'm Holding On To My Faith" with nothing but a piano to accompany them. I get goosebumps watching Ms. Lovecoats and her Harmonettes do this song. It's a long way from singers like MaryMary, Kiki Sheard, and other contemporary female gospel groups. This is old style gospel singing that relies solely on voice and conviction. Listening to the Harmonettes makes me wanna shout and throw my make-believe Sunday hat across the sanctuay. Ms. Lovecoats is not just singing, the woman is preaching and telling a story of what it takes to hold on to all that's dear and precious to you in the midst of persecution and tempation.
Listening to Ms. Lovecoats sing "I'm Holding On" reminds me of Saturday mornings when my mother would make us all get up from the bed and help with the weekend chores of cleaning, washing, cooking. You can bet that some gospel song by Mahalia Jackson, Dororthy Lovecoats, or James Cleveland would be playing in the background on the record player. From time to time my mother would stop cleaning and get in a little shout. Here's paying tribute to all those who know what it means to work, sing your heart out, inspire others, and hold on to your faith, all under nearly impossible circumstances.
8 comments:
hm . . . I needed to hear that song. It reminded me of my baptist upbringing and the endless hours at Bethany Baptist Church located on Homestead Rd. where I was in the drill team, children's choir, and junior usher.
Hm . . . I hear Sis. Karr saying, "Chile, if you gone sleep in church, you can lay your head in my lap."
It's amazing how one song can bring back memories . . .
I'm going to add to the memories at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. This is a classic song sung during choir anniversaries every year. Sister Josephine used to belt out this song. The funeral home fans would be moving. The tambourines going. Thanks for the clip Rev. Renita!
Bless His Name! Glory to God in the Highest! I needed to hear that sermon..uh, song. My hold on my faith was challenged a couple of nights ago. I heard the word, and I'm gonna keep holdin' on. Thanks Dr, Weems for posting this.
Holding on to my faith. My Aunt Lillie Mae was our choir director, she love to hear me sing lead because of my deep alto voice(I hated my voice then the boys teased me)my song by Dorothy Love Coats (You must be born again), and (God Specializes)by The Roberta Martin Singers and (Plant My Feet On Higher Ground)by The Davis Singers. When I was listening to this clip I was (12) years old again and so many people that I love was still here. I could almost hear my aunt say ok Georgia Mae and I'd start singing and my aunt Florence who played the piano would look up in the ceiling because she said Lilla Mae thinks she's the boss of everybody.
She would always say that she only shouted when I sang.
When we talk about those days now we always end up laughing, thank God for the church of my youth, thank you for the memory.
Dear Rev. Dr. Weems,
Greetings! Thank you so much for your post of Friday, November 2,
"Holding Onto My Faith." My mother and I have just finished reading
the blog together and we are still singing and shouting, laughing and
praying along with Ms. Lovecoats. As we get up to do our Saturday
morning chores - mom is writing a paper on Jarena Lee for a D.Min
class and I'm writing a paper for AAR - we are dancing to the soulful
music and celebrating life. Rev. Weems we honor you this morning.
Thank you for sharing in the love of God and the power of black
women's voices - through it all singing...preaching and finding our
way to be free.
Bless you always
Melanie and Naomi Harris
I was on my way back to my apartment, but I just had to stop at the computer lab first to check the blog and read the latest. I'm so glad I did. Right here and right now I needed to hear somebody remind me to JUST HOLD ON... I have always loved in particular this line: "If you dig one ditch, you betta dig two..."
Now, I'm listening to "I'm on the Right Road Now." He said, if I li-ive right. I'm on the right road now... WHOO! Glory! Glory! GLORY!
I wish we would still sing like that. Well, I can't exactly say WE, because this is just a little before my time. < grin > However, there is power in these songs that will last. It was/is good for my dear mother and it's certainly good enough, better than good enough for me!
God Bless ya Rev. Weems!
Kymberly M.
...all I can say is that I needed that on this Monday morning.
Thank you.
I have always loved Dorothy Love Coates. Even though there are some awesome gospel musicians/choirs out there, there's really nothing like the ol' timey gospel of James Cleveland, Clay Evans and Mother Dorothy. PBS ran a documentary some years ago (and they still play it from time to time) on the history of gospel music thoughout time. It's called Say Amen Somebody. They featured artists such as Thomas Dorsey and Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith. It was awesome. If you can get your hands on it through Netflix or whatever, do that. You'll love it.
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