Sweet Honey in the Rock captured my heart decades ago when I’d enjoy their music and performances on episodes of PBS programs Reading Rainbow and Sesame Street with my young children. The more I learned about them and the more music of theirs I collected, the deeper my love for them blossomed.
They are an all-woman, African-American a’cappella ensemble. A Grammy Award-winning troupe, they express their history as women of color through song, dance, and sign language. They have worked together from four singers to the difficult five-part harmony with a sixth member translating with sign language. Although the members have changed over 4 decades, they continue to sing and have helped produce children’s albums as well as those aimed at adults.
The group was founded in 1973 by Bernice Johnson Reagon, who was teaching a vocal workshop with the Washington, D.C. Black Repertory Company. She retired from the group in 2004. The name of the group was derived from a song based on Psalm 81:16 which tells of a land so rich that when rocks were cracked open honey flowed from them. Bernice said that the first song in which four women blended their voices was so powerful there was no question what the name of the group would be. Their music combines contemporary rhythms and narratives with a musical style rooted in the Gospel music, spirituals and hymns of the African-American Church. The ensemble tackles five-part harmonies and composes much of their own music. They address topics such as motherhood, spirituality, freedom, civil rights, domestic violence, immigration issues, and racism. Reference details: Wikipedia ~ Official site: SweetHoney.com
I celebrate these dynamic performers along with their outstanding music! These women sing for peace. I applaud their excellent efforts and want to share the inspiration they offer right here on my blog. Watch for more to come! Let’s clap and sing along as they help us raise our voices and stand up for peace. We can pray for peace daily, and we can take action. Let’s get inspired and see what we each can do towards creating peace on earth, right here and right now! Let’s stand up for freedom! Let’s stand up for peace!
Sweet Honey In The Rock at the Carpenter Centre, with commentary by the bwordproject.com
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An awesome post and an awesome and beautiful group of women very uplifting and positive as well as inspiring in a very loving way. I appreciate that even the voice of signing is used sending a very powerful message to those that hear with their eyes. You have shared a great smile and treasure with me this day. Thank you Gina!
With love,
Joe
Thank you so much Joe, for your visit and this wonderful comment. I agree completely that their inclusion of signing shows the wisdom of this group towards inclusion of all, including those who hear with their eyes – as you put it so well
I am delighted you enjoyed this, and your kindness has brought a smile to me as well.
With Love and Light,
Gina
thank you for reminding me of this beautifully powerful group of women this morning
It is absolutely my pleasure! They are indeed a powerful group, and one that we can continue to enjoy
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Oh, I LOVE Sweet Honey!!! You just inspired me to create a spotify playlist of them!
That’s Wonderful!! I’m so glad this helped get you charged up to create a playlist
Enjoy!
I join you in loving these women and their message. I have seen them in concert many times and am always inspired. I was fortunate enough to see Bernice speaking and singing in the last year. What a cool experience. She sang. http://wp.me/puPka-xl
Thank you for sharing this, and I am so excited for you to have not only seen them perform but to have also see their founder Bernice speaking and performing. Recently too! That would definitely be a very cool experience. Thanks again! Cheers, Gina
I hope you have the chance.
Me too! Thank you
Very cool Gina! I haven’t heard them since college! xo
Hi Julie! It’s my pleasure to share these dynamic performers and so glad it brings you back to your college days
xo
Aahh! Reading Rainbow! I’m suddenly getting flashbacks of 5yrs old again! I loved everything on there as a tiny tot.
Thanks for your great comment! I adored that show too. I think you’d enjoy this post I did about a specific episode (complete with a video!) from last summer: http://professionsforpeace.com/2012/07/08/bringing-the-rain/ Enjoy
Thanks again. Hugs
Wow! Thank you so much! This is such a trip down Memory Lane!
I’m so glad you enjoyed!
Hugs xo
*hugs*
Thank you for sharing! What a wonderful and uplifting post. The music is so calming.
Hello, and thank you for this delightful comment. Yes I adore their music and find it soothing and uplifting at the same time
Hugs, Gina
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