Nobody Knows

Craig von Buseck

Description

It should not surprise us when we see God use the common things of life--snow, streetlights, a rented suit, a mop--to accomplish the incredible. But it should inspire us. From the depths of near obscurity at the turn of the last century, a young African American man rose to fame through those ordinary things--listening intently out in the snow as a child to beautiful music in an elegant hall, listening to his grandfather sing the old slave songs as he lit the streetlamps, sweating through a rented suit during an audition for a musical scholarship, a chance meeting with a musical legend as he was mopping the halls of his school. Through the seemingly insignificant pieces of life, God led Harry T. Burleigh along the path to fame and through him preserved the songs that would form the basis of a uniquely American music.Now Harry T. Burleigh, once world-renowned for his career as a beautiful baritone soloist, an arranger of Negro Spirituals, and a composer in his own right, is lifted once more out of obscurity by Craig von Buseck. This inspiring true story will take readers back in time to Southern plantations and Northern boom towns, to minstrel shows and soaring sanctuaries, and into the heart of a man who never suspected that God had destined him for greatness.

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 07 janvier 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 2
• EAN13: 9781441245540
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

© 2014 by Craig von Buseck
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means for example, electronic, photocopy, recording without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4412-4554-0
Scripture used in this book, whether quoted or paraphrased by the characters, is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
“I’m thrilled that the historical and important story of the legendary Harry Burleigh is finally being told! That he was for fifty-two years a member and celebrated soloist at the very church I attend here in New York City makes it all the more extraordinary. Hats off to Craig von Buseck for his tremendous research and work!”
Eric Metaxas , New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer : Pastor , Martyr , Prophet , Spy and Amazing Grace : William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery
“Mr. von Buseck’s book, Nobody Knows , reads like a good novel, and yet he balances this colorful historical narrative with reliable scholarship. His subject of choice is the great African American legend, singer and songsmith Harry T. Burleigh. Mr. Von Buseck’s language is warm and accessible. I love being taken by surprise, particularly when being introduced with such clarity to a historical figure of my own country, a pioneering spirit, one of those rare musical types that gave the soul of this nation its voice. Nobody Knows is delightfully readable.”
David Teems , author of Majestie : The King Behind the King James Bible and Tyndale : The Man Who Gave God an English Voice
“This is an important book for people interested in American music, the Episcopal Church, and African American cultural life. Harry Burleigh was a star he brought light to a vast number of people his art was shared in Jewish and Christian communities, in New York City, Martha’s Vineyard, and so many places. He was a man of deep feeling and ability who shared his gifts in all directions.”
Rev . Tom Pike , former rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in New York City
“We welcome Craig von Buseck’s new book on Harry T. Burleigh, the great African American musician. Nobody Knows adds a rich chapter to the record of great American composers and musicians.”
Vinson Synan , Dean Emeritus, Regent University School of Divinity; author of The Century of the Holy Spirit
“ Nobody Knows is an important tribute to a master of the American spiritual. An inspirational story, this work is an important read, as it sheds light on a key composer whose contributions to the history of American music are otherwise neglected.”
Afa S . Dworkin , executive director of the Sphinx Organization; member of President Obama’s National Arts Policy Committee
I dedicate this book to my children, Aaron, Margo, and especially David, who asked at the age of six, “Daddy, how long is Harry T. Burleigh going to live with us?” Harry’s finally moving out, guys, but I know he will always be in our hearts. Thank you for your never-ending love and encouragement. With much love.
Contents
Cover 1
Title Page 2
Copyright Page 3
Endorsements 4
Dedication 5
Harry T. Burleigh Family Tree 9
Harry T. Burleigh Timeline 11
1. The Gospel Train 15
2. Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen 26
3. There Is a Balm in Gilead 38
4. My Lord, What a Mornin’ 47
5. Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel? 64
6. Wade in de Water 69
7. Little David Play on Your Harp 79
8. Steal Away 91
9. Were You There? 103
10. Go Down, Moses 115
11. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 133
12. Heav’n, Heav’n 147
13. Hard Trials 154
14. The Trees Have Grown So 167
15. The Frolic 171
16. King of Kings 181
17. I Know de Lord’s Laid His Hands on Me 189
18. Hear de Lambs a-Cryin’ 198
19. Deep River 205
20. In Christ There Is No East or West 213
21. I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired 220
22. Goin’ Home 233
Acknowledgments 245
Bibliography 247
Back Cover 257

Harry T. Burleigh Timeline 1832 (March 5) The final manumission is entered into the Somerset County, Maryland, deed book, titled “Bill of Sale,” for the purchase of Hamilton Waters and his mother, Lovey. 1835 (April 13) Hamilton Waters secures a “Certificate of Freedom,” allowing him and his mother to travel without fear of slave catchers. 1835–1838 Hamilton Waters marries Lucinda Duncanson (exact date unknown). 1838 Elizabeth Waters is born near Lansing, Michigan. 1838–1841 Hamilton, Lucinda, Lovey, and Elizabeth move to Erie, Pennsylvania (exact date unknown). Lovey dies in Erie (exact date unknown). 1841 Louise Waters is born in Erie, Pennsylvania. 1855 (July 11) Elizabeth Waters graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Avery College in Pittsburgh. 1864 Elizabeth Waters marries Henry Thacker Burleigh. 1864 (November 14) Reginald Burleigh is born. 1866 (May) The National Conservatory of Music is founded in New York City. 1866 (December 2) Harry T. Burleigh is born in Erie, Pennsylvania. 1867 Lucinda Duncanson Waters, Burleigh’s grandmother, dies. 1869 (May 24) Harry T. Burleigh and his brother Reginald are baptized at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Erie, Pennsylvania. 1873 (February 27) Henry Burleigh dies of a heart attack while in Chicago. 1875 (April) Elizabeth Waters Burleigh marries John Elmendorf. 1877 (February 6) Hamilton Waters dies. 1891 Harry T. Burleigh wins a scholarship to cover tuition at the National Conservatory of Music in New York City. 1891 (Fall) Harry T. Burleigh begins classes as a student at the National Conservatory of Music in New York City. 1892 (Fall) Antonin Dvorak becomes director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City. 1893 (December 16) Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony no. 9 in E Minor, “From the New World,” is completed and premiered in New York City. 1894 Harry T. Burleigh is chosen by J. P. Morgan, Rector William Rainsford, and choirmaster William Chester to be the baritone soloist at the prestigious St. George’s Episcopal Church in New York City. 1895 (April 27) Antonin Dvorak resigns from the National Conservatory and returns to Prague. 1896 Burleigh graduates from the National Conservatory of Music. 1898 Harry T. Burleigh marries Louise Alston. 1898 G. Schirmer publishes Burleigh’s first songs, “If You Knew,” “Life,” and “A Birthday Song.” 1899 (August 18) Harry and Louise Burleigh welcome a son, Alston Waters Burleigh. 1900 Harry T. Burleigh begins a twenty-five-year career as soloist at Temple Emanu-El in New York City. 1901 Burleigh publishes his earliest arrangements of spirituals for solo voice and piano in Plantation Melodies, Old and New . 1903 Harry has his first commercial success as a songwriter with the publication of his song “Jean.” 1903 Harry T. Burleigh begins to tour with Booker T. Washington to raise funds for the Tuskegee Institute. 1903 (March 10) Elizabeth Elmendorf dies. 1908 (July 3) Harry T. Burleigh sings before King Edward of England. 1911 Burleigh is hired as an editor at Ricordi and Company music publishers. 1913 (March 31) Burleigh’s friend and supporter J. P. Morgan dies. Harry sings at the funeral. 1914 (February) Burleigh is one of 170 composers who become charter members of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). 1915 Louise Alston Burleigh leaves Harry to pursue her career. 1915 Harry’s original song “The Young Warrior” becomes the marching song for the Italian Army in World War I. 1916 Burleigh publishes his first solo arrangement of “Deep River,” which becomes known as his masterpiece. 1917 (May 17) The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) gives Burleigh the Spingarn Award, acknowledging him for bringing spirituals to the attention of distinguished audiences nationwide and in Europe. 1917 Atlanta University confers an honorary Master of Arts degree upon Harry T. Burleigh. 1917 Burleigh publishes his popular “Little Mother of Mine.” 1919 John Elmendorf dies. 1919 Harry T. Burleigh records “Go Down, Moses.” 1920 (June 11) Howard University confers an honorary Doctor of Music degree upon Harry T. Burleigh. 1934 (May 10) Burleigh is the featured speaker at the Juilliard Student Club program titled, “The Negro in Music.” 1940 Harry T. Burleigh’s final spiritual, “In Christ There Is No East or West,” is published. 1944 (February 4) St. George’s Episcopal Church honors Harry T. Burleigh for fifty years of service as baritone soloist. 1946 Harry T. Burleigh retires from St. George’s Episcopal Church after serving as baritone soloist for fifty-two years. 1949 (September 12) Harry T. Burleigh dies in Stamford, Connecticut.
1 The Gospel Train
1891 E RIE , P ENNSYLVANIA
The Lakeshore Limited was only partially filled with passengers as the short, handsome black man climbed aboard and shuffled down the aisle, searching for a seat next to a north-facing window so that he could watch his beloved Lake Erie as the train skirted the hills of northern Pennsylvania. As Harry Thacker Burleigh stowed his one small suitcase above the seat, the large metal beast shuddered and lurched forward from the wooden railway station, steam belching from the engine and wheels screeching as iron scraped against iron. The locomotive slowly picked up speed as block after block of Harry’s childhood home of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed by his window. Once beyond the city, the train began weaving its way through the thick foliage that grew around the tracks, forming walls of green like a long, leafy tunnel. As the train picked up speed, Harry’s heart began to race. After nearly a decade of paying his dues at weddings, funerals, church services, and even saloons and steamboats, he was finally on his way to New York City for his chance t