Georgia Sea Island Singers

Duration: 12

Year Published: 1963

Creator: Bess Lomax Holmes

Format: 16mm

Color: B&W

Sound: sound

Credits: Hawes, Bess Lomax, 1921-2009.; University of California (System). Extension Media Center.

Description: Presents pure spirituals as they were sung during the 19th century on St. Simon's, an isolated island off the Georgia coast. Was made on the San Fernando Valley St. Coll. Campus. Songs include: Moses, Yonder Comes Day, Buzzard Lope (Throw Me Anywhere Lord), Adam in the Garden (Picking up Leaves), and Down in the Mire (Bright Star Shinning in Glory). Singers are: John Davis, Emma Ramsay, Henry Morrison, Mabel Hillary, Bessie Jones.

Complete Record: The film shows spirituals sung by members of a community off the Georgia coast. The singers stand in front of a black background and sing a capella. There are brief voice overs & titles discussing the history of the community. The isolated sea islands have kept musical traditions alive from the time of slavery. Pure spirituals are sung as they were 100 years ago on St. Simon's, an isolated island off the Georgia coast. Each song is introduced by explanatory titles and is first sung unaccompanied by two men and three women, later with a tamborine, a broom handle on a board, and dancing.

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG7eWBGfIzA

Metadata Source:YouTube