Quakers and Music
Quakers have had an uneasy relationship with music since the late 17th century.
Although 
singing was recognized as an authentic expression of the connection with Spirit, too much music could become amusement and a diversion. Popular culture played with this dichotomy as demonstrated by this sheet music cover of 1919. Special Collections’ online exhibit ‘Sing ye in the spirit’ : Music & Quakerism in Harmony will show you more on the subject.
Some of the newest notes among Friends are being sung by Jon Watts who blends spirituality, Quaker history and rap. Listen to him and watch to see if your shoulders don’t begin to shake, too!
Tags: Dancing, Exhibitions, Jon Watts, Music, Quakers
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:50 am
Thanks for this. I recall a 17th C tract about the Friends Meeting in Southwark, which regularly disrupted by violent militia. Having detailed various incidents of brutality in the first few pages, it spends the remainder inveighing against bear-baiting, theatre- acting, ballet-singers and sundry other local entertainment industries.
I think we have come a long way . . . did “The Gates of Greenham” reach your shores? No-one has rapped in our Meeting yet, though!
Vernon – Cornwall, UK