One of the most common questions asked is "Where can I purchase a copy of the Sacred Harp?"

The Sacred Harp tune book, first published in 1844, has been revised and re-published periodically ever since. It is also referred to as the "Denson Book", or the "red book". The latest edition, published in 1991, is by far the most popular of the four-shape tune books used in the USA and is used at all Sacred Harp singings in the UK.

The 1991 edition contains 554 sacred songs, hymns, odes and anthems and is widely used by the Sacred Harp community as well as hymnologists.

It can be obtained from Ian West Email Address

Current cost:  £12.50 plus £6 p&p.

The B.F. White Sacred Harp
Revised Cooper Edition, 2006.

The "Cooper Book" (sometimes also referred to as the “blue book”) was first published in 1902 as an attempt to modernise the music in Sacred Harp singings. Whilst most of the pieces it contains are also in the Denson Book, the harmonies in the Cooper book sometimes differ and different verses are often used. It also contains a number of distinct pieces not found in othertune books. The Cooper Book is used at relatively few singings in the USA and is used, along with the Denson Book, at a small number of “two book” singings in the UK.

It can also be obtained from Ian West Email Address

Current cost:  £12 plus £4 p&p.

Early and contemporary plain and fuguing tunes from New England and beyond,  together with tunes from the English West Gallery tradition - 4th edition hard
cover (red), pub. 1998.

Out of print.

Steve Fletcher would like to create a loaner set, so invites anyone who has an unused 1998 (red) or 1995 (grey) Northern Harmony to donate or long-term-lend it to her to use as a loaner - they will not be sold on. Sorry - not the 1990 blue edition.

Please contact her to arrange transport.  Steve Fletcher email

Early and contemporary New England and Southern States' plain tunes, fuguing tunes and anthems - hard cover, published 2005.

Limited supply in UK. Orders to: Steve Fletcher email

Videotapes and DVDs

A feature-length documentary film and DVD, released in 2006, on the history, music, and traditions of Sacred Harp singing. As described in detail on the movie's outstanding Web site, over the course of seven years, the Hintons painstakingly amassed hundreds of hours of digital video footage at traditional Sacred Harp singings (from the Denson/1991 book) in Georgia and Alabama and interviewed the most prominent traditional Sacred Harp singers and composers.

See here for further details, and a video trailer of the DVD.

The Standard Edition (SHR-DVD001 and Special Edition (SHR-DVD002) are available for $20.00 and $27.00, respectively, plus shipping when ordered online at the Web site. Educational purchases and licenses are also available. 

A limited number of copies are available for sale in the UK,  for further details please contact Michael Walker email

Come to Zion
£13.80 (inc. p&p)
Shaker hymns and anthems recorded at Hancock Shaker Village
Meetinghouse, Mass.  by Norumbega Harmony
Limited stock available: Sheila Girling Macadam email

For those interested in the parallel English West Gallery tradition, the West Gallery Music Association and some of its member quires have a selection of tunebooks and CDs available to purchase. For further information please visit:

The Carolling Tradition centred on pubs in villages around Sheffield is also a rich resource of music and recordings. For further information please visit: