Interview with William Worthington, Rozell Tarrant, May 19, 1983

Partial Transcript: I'm now visiting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Worthington.

Segment Synopsis: Worthington and Tarrant discuss their childhood and early memories of singing. Worthington speaks at length about his father and the coal mining industry that he grew up around.

Keywords: "The Wobblies"; Black community; Coal; Coal mines; Coal mining; Dayton (Ohio); East Pineville; Education; Family; Farming; Fathers; Gospel; Harlan County (Ky.); Hymns; Labor unions; Manual labor; Singing; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA); World War I

Subjects: African American families; African Americans--Conduct of life; African Americans--Economic conditions; African Americans--Employment; African Americans--Social conditions; Coal--Kentucky; Discrimination in employment; Race relations--Kentucky--Harlan County; Segregation--United States

Partial Transcript: Um, well, let's see, Mr., um, Tarrant[s], um, you were, um--you, you remember some of those old-timey hymns and songs, maybe that, uh, used to sing.

Segment Synopsis: Worthington and Tarrant discuss their memories of the old time hymns that used to be sung in their church growing up.

Keywords: "A Charge to Keep I Have"; "Am I A Soldier of the Cross"; "Amazing Grace"; "Blessed Be the Ties That Bind"; "But I Hear The Voice of Jesus Say"; Center Baptist Church (Ala.); Church services; Common meter; Deacons; Long meter; Old time hymns; Prayer service; Religious music; Short meter; Union Baptist Church (Ky.)

Subjects: African American Christians; African American churches--Kentucky; African Americans--Religion; Christianity; Music

Partial Transcript: What do you think of those old hymns?

Segment Synopsis: Worthington and Tarrant discuss their memories of old time hymns and church services attended in their youth.
This portion contains singing, "Amazing Grace" (15:00-16:42) and "My Soul Belongs to God" (16:59-18:44).

Keywords: Baptist Church; Bible; Black youth; Choirs; Congregation; Devotion; Gospel; Hymns; Minister; Music; Musical styles; Participation; Religious experiences; Religious music; Revival; Singing; Young people

Subjects: African American Christians; African American churches--Kentucky; African American clergy; African American singers; African Americans--Race identity; African Americans--Religion; Music

Partial Transcript: Did you ever have an opportunity to visit any of the White churches during this time to hear them sing some of the old hymns?

Segment Synopsis: Worthington and Tarrant discuss the difference in how Black and White churches performed the old hymns. They also speak on the different ways these hymns were performed based on pitch and meter.
This portion contains singing, "Am I A Soldier of the Cross" (35:39-37:15).

Keywords: Black churches; Hymns; Musical styles; Pitch; Songs; Verses; White churches

Subjects: African Americans--Conduct of life; African Americans--Religion; African Americans--Social conditions; African Americans--Social life and customs; Music; Race relations--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Di, did you have many of these, uh, sermons, or, uh, services, so--I should say song services maybe, in the homes? Did you ever have gatherings in the homes where they'd sing?

Segment Synopsis: Worthington and Tarrant discuss their memories of religious services that had taken place in people's homes.

Keywords: Christianity; Families; Homes; Houses; Hymns; Music; Prayer services; Religious music; Religious worship; Singing; Yards

Subjects: African American families; African American singers; African Americans--Conduct of life; African Americans--Religion; African Americans--Social life and customs