ALL DAY SINGING WITH DINNER ON THE GROUND!!!!!

ARE YOU READY FOR ANOTHER SHORT STORY FROM MY MISSIONARY BROTHER, FRED??? ALL OF THE ALLEN KIDS WERE RAISED LIKE THIS.....

FIFTH SUNDAY SINGINGS

by Fred M. Allen

Have you ever experienced the joy of sitting next to singers from twenty or more different churches and singing “convention-type” Gospel songs just for the joy of singing together? Such was the case for me when I grew up in Lamar County, near Paris, Texas, in the rural community of Taylortown, and participated in the very popular Fifth Sunday Singings.

The style of music used is seldom heard in churches of today but can be heard on some of the Bill Gaither-produced videos, DVD's and CD's . I have been told that similar music activities are still being enjoyed in some parts of our area, but I have not participated in one for many years.

A few years ago my wife, Joy and I, along with my sister, Martha Shannon from Euless, Texas, went to the home of long-time friends in Gospel music, Weldon and Joyce Smith, in Bogata, Texas. After a brief visit, we began singing some of the songs we used to sing together in Fifth Sunday Singings. After singing the first song, “He Whispers Sweet Peace to Me,” the pianist, Joyce, began crying tears of joy as she said, “This is so beautiful!” We continued singing for almost an hour. We returned to Martha's second home in Sylvan that night with the melodies of those songs still ringing in our minds. Soon I went to bed but awoke at 2:30 am, not able to go back to sleep until I wrote down what I remembered about the Fifth Sunday Singings. You are now reading what I wrote.

We usually met in churches or schools. Only a piano was used for accompaniment. When available, microphones were used by the speakers or small groups. The singings would consist of “all day singings with dinner on the ground” on each fifth Sunday. When the singers arrived we were given a convention songbook and seated according to the voice part we sang. The president led a song of his choice. Others led songs. After singing several group songs, small groups or soloists would present specials. Quartets especially were popular. After about two hours, we feasted on some wonderful home-cooking while we visited and fellowshipped together.

The style of music used was not that of traditional hymns, although “Amazing Grace” and “What a Friend” were often sung. The usual style was what we referred to as “Stamps-Baxter.” The songs were pure, four-part harmony, usually with different parts being given solo lines with three-part harmony backgrounds, with the pianist playing the melody and some of the written parts, but always ad-libbing the rhythm to give the song a lift and excitement. 

Texts of the songs covered many subjects, but the most-used theme was on heaven or our looking forward to going there. Most texts were based on Scripture except perhaps some of the more sentimental ones about home, or of personal testimonies, but all were uplifting and a blessing to all. The atmosphere was informal, and humor was always welcome. 

Some leaders were well-trained while others just chose the song and sang along with the group, but all were supported totally by the singers. No one was ever embarrassed even when they made mistakes. I remember very well when I led my first song at age six and unintentionally held my songbook upside-down since I had not yet learned to read. Later my mama assured me that it was just okay to hold my book upside down since I sang it by memory anyway. 

Some songs which most people loved were: “Looking for a City,” “On the Jericho Road,” “Everybody Will Be Happy Over There,” “When All of God's Singers Get Home,” “If I Could Hear 

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My Mother Pray Again,” “Just a Little Talk with Jesus,” “I'll Fly Away,” “I Can Tell You Now the Time,” and “I'll Meet You in the Morning,” and many, many others.

The experiences I had in the Fifth Sunday Singings influenced me to serve for 40 years in music ministry, teaching music and training others to use their talents to the glory of God. Two of my favorite verses in the Bible are Psalm 104:33-34: “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him as I rejoice in the Lord.” NIV 

Thank you, Lord, for the Fifth Sunday Singings. Not only did they bless my life in my early years but those memories continue to bless me even now. I understand why my dear friend, Joyce, who is now in heaven, had tears in her eyes when we sang those beautiful songs together that day.