The Magic of Mountain Music

Hello all you lovely followers, and everyone else who stumbles upon this little humble blog. It has been about four months since I last updated it. I apologize for my absence. I have had a very busy summer, and even busier fall. I have been teaching a lot which is amazing. So if you have made it out to one of my classes "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" Without you wonderful people who are hungry for real authentic historic teachings I would not be able to do what I love. And that i bring all this information out to the public and share it so that these traditions do not disappear into the mists of the beautiful smoke that pours out of our mountains here in Appalachia.
I would like to say, "I promise to do better with the blogging, and be sure to update once a week, or once every two weeks, or even once month," but I know that I will most likely break that promise. So I won't make you all a promise that I will most likely not be able to see through. I will do my best, however, not to leave such a large time lapse between updates.

Painting by John Haywood, 2014

What I wanted to write about is the power and magic of music. We know that music has a profound effect on our psyches. Turning on the right song or the right instrumental can lift our mood when we are sad, makes us feel sad even when we are having the best day, it can be healing, and inspiring to name just a few emotions. But what about magical?

Singing and playing music has been used by all cultures in all times to express their emotions. Its also been used to worship divinity. There are plenty of verses from the bible stating that song and dance are forms of worship.
1 Chronicles 15:27 "Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen with all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the singing with the singers. David also wore an ephod of linen."

The original settlers to the Appalachian Mountains brought their songs and dances with them. And those songs continue to be sung today. And while they may not seem worshipful I challenge you to listen to them siting outside in the cool fall air. Allow the words and instrumentation to flow over and through you. Allow the music to meld with your very being, and you will find that you are in a connection with the ancestral people of the mountains. Being connected to them spiritually through their songs, and their instruments (even if you are listening to a modern band) is a form of worship. Allow those tears to fall. Allow shouts of happiness to break free from your throat. Get up and dance if you need to. Even if there are people around. Worship isn't for other people. It is for you and your connection to this place.

Some of the songs I would suggest you sit and listen to are:
Barby Ellen performed by Jean RItchie

High on a Mountain performed by Ola Belle Reed

The Road to Kaintuck performed by Johnny Cash

WIldwood Flower performed by The Carter Family 

Conversation with Death performed by Berzilla Wallin

This past weekend I went back to Wise County, VA to visit my family. In Big Stone Gap they had their 46th annual Home Craft Days which combines local craftsmen and musicians from the area selling their wares and performing their music. I got there a little late, but got to catch the last performance of the day. John Haywood from Whitesburg, KY was playing the banjo and singing the old mountain music. I was mesmerized. I found myself tearing up to almost all of the music. THe instrumental pieces as well as the vocal pieces all spoke out to my hertiage, and to the spirit of Mother Appalachia and Father Alleghany. All the spirits of place were there listening, and I could feel them present. 

Video: John Haywood Playing Banjo and Singing Hook and LIne

You can find more music by John Haywood at Haywood Art and Tattoo

What songs and music stir your soul?