All Day Singin’ and Dinner on the Ground…from Mrs. Crumly’s unpublished writings.

The fourth Sunday in April has just passed and what memories I have of that Sunday.  Fourth Sunday in April was always the all day singin’ at Skirum Methodist Church and it drew a crowd.   John’s uncle Merrill used to say “All day singin’, dinner on the ground –the  devil’s in the woods and whiskey’s all around.”

There was always a visiting quartet and singin’ usually started around ten o’clock in the morning.  That lasted some two hours and then another good part got under way – eating.  No fellowship halls back then, but men made long tables out under the trees and lunch was spread – and big time. Each lady brought her own tablecloth, spread it on the makeshift table and spread her food.  Lots of fried chicken, potato salad, devilled eggs, however, casseroles were in short supply as they had not really entered the picture at that time.  On this part of the mountain ice was scarce, but on the fourth Sunday in April it was plentiful as somebody always went to Collinsville and brought plenty for tea, lemonade and whatever.

Many of the singers had attended singing schools and knew a lot about singing Southern Gospel songs. Alto singers sat together, as did all other parts – soprano, bass and tenor and they could make the rafters ring.  The main book used was the Stamps Baxter, but Vaughn was used some, too.  My part was alto, but today I can’t even begin to sing – no matter what part.

My sister played piano all over this mountain for such singings, but so did other musicians such as Vera McDaniel, Jessie Monroe, Maxine Blessing and others.  Mr. Johnny Monroe was the organizer at Skirum , but there were lots of other greats, too, such as Alvin Blessing, Frank Machen, Enoch Parris and Floyd Prady and on and on.

Needless to say, the church was filled with singers as well as listeners.  Good singers from all over the mountain were in attendance and were asked to lead a song or two.  Usually that leader would choose the person for the piano. 

This particular singing was Southern Gospel; however, there were some Fa So La singings in the area as well.  As I remember it one such singing was the First Sunday in June at Hopewell.  I never did much good with singing Fa So La.  I did learn to play a little and isn’t it strange that I could do better of the notes were shaped rather than round.  Today I believe all Southern Gospel books have round notes..

It’s too bad that young folks don’t enjoy that kind of music and keep the singings going; however, it’s a different world with a new kind of country living.