Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Who were the Shakers, and what kinds of songs did they sing? In this episode of Songs that Speak I examine an 1862 song by a Shaker named Sister Cecilia DeVere, using her song as a springing off point to talk about Shaker faith, the American Civil War, covid, slavery, and how Cecilia was a prophet.
The word “Supplication” means to ask, pray or beg for something earnestly or humbly. In this case, Sister Cecilia’s song title could be interpreted to mean “a prayer in a nation’s crisis.”
A clarification: My statements in the last portion of the video are not meant to imply that I believe we should all just choose to tolerate people who make choices that endanger others- i.e. that we should just respect the choices of white supremacists etc. When I call for humility, I am asking that we take the time to listen to each other’s stories and personal experiences so that we can find common ground from which to build a kinder and more just society. So much of the anger flaring in our country- from the left, right, radical communities etc.- comes from grief, and understanding that grief is one of the only ways that we might be able to organize with one another. For many people, it’s not safe to try and have conversations across political or racial divides- so I’m not saying everyone should try to do that. Whatever is safe for you- especially if you come from a place of privilege- consider approaching someone from a different economic background, politics, etc. from a place of curiosity and kindness- you might learn much more than you thought you could.
Learn to sing Supplication in a Nation's Calamity: youtu.be/zYQUniqR-8U
THANK YOU to my Patrons, who make this project possible!
patreon.com/sarolynch
BECOME A PATRON with monthly donations!
patreon.com/sarolynch
*WHERE ELSE YOU CAN FIND ME*
Website: sarosings.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/sarosings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/song_speak_...
*LYRICS*
Dark is the cloud that rests over the nation
Wild is the war cry that pierces the air
God’s heavy judgements spread wide desolation
Strong hearts are bound in the depths of despair.
Lord, may the bands of the captive be broken
Oh may this struggle bring true liberty
Teach man that love is a heaven-born token
And that the truth can alone make us free.
Guide Zion’s children in this trying hour
Keep us dependent on thy love and care
Down in the valley we find thy true power
Lord in thy mercy oh guard us still there.
*CREDITS*
Writer and Producer: Saro Lynch-Thomason
Script Editor: Ben Fink
Editorial Advice: Rochelle Hudson
*Sources:
"The Shaker Experience in America," by Stephen J. Stein. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University, 1992.
"The Shaker Spiritual," by Daniel W. Patterson. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 1979.
"This Republic of Suffering: Death and the America Civil War," by Drew Gilpin Faust. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008.
*Images:
“Sister Cecilia DeVere, North Family, Mount Lebanon, NY,” Courtesy of the Shaker Museum
“Portrait of Sister Cecilia DeVere,” Courtesy of the Shaker Museum
“In a Shaker Kitchen, Mount Lebanon, NY,” Courtesy of the Shaker Museum
Learn more about the Shaker Museum at shakermuseum.us
“George Whitefield Preaching in Bolton, June 1750,” Thomas Walley (1817–1878), Bolton Museum and Art Gallery
"John Wilkes Booth fleeing via the stage at Ford's Theater, April 14, 1865, artist's impression, zoomable image," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/41204.
“Confederate flag imagery at Rally Against Gun Control at the Minnesota State Capitol,” by Fibonacci Blue. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en Image has been cropped.
*Music & Sounds:
“Kilkerrin,” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Pitro”, by Charles Peguri
“An Oddly Formal Dance,” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Shrewsbury,” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Ringing Bell Happy” by Domrodrig
“Buzzing Sound Effect” by User 7146007
Who were the Shakers, and what kinds of songs did they sing? In this episode of Songs that Speak I examine an 1862 song by a Shaker named Sister Cecilia DeVere, using her song as a springing off point to talk about Shaker faith, the American Civil War, covid, slavery, and how Cecilia was a prophet.
The word “Supplication” means to ask, pray or beg for something earnestly or humbly. In this case, Sister Cecilia’s song title could be interpreted to mean “a prayer in a nation’s crisis.”
A clarification: My statements in the last portion of the video are not meant to imply that I believe we should all just choose to tolerate people who make choices that endanger others- i.e. that we should just respect the choices of white supremacists etc. When I call for humility, I am asking that we take the time to listen to each other’s stories and personal experiences so that we can find common ground from which to build a kinder and more just society. So much of the anger flaring in our country- from the left, right, radical communities etc.- comes from grief, and understanding that grief is one of the only ways that we might be able to organize with one another. For many people, it’s not safe to try and have conversations across political or racial divides- so I’m not saying everyone should try to do that. Whatever is safe for you- especially if you come from a place of privilege- consider approaching someone from a different economic background, politics, etc. from a place of curiosity and kindness- you might learn much more than you thought you could.
Learn to sing Supplication in a Nation's Calamity: youtu.be/zYQUniqR-8U
THANK YOU to my Patrons, who make this project possible!
patreon.com/sarolynch
BECOME A PATRON with monthly donations!
patreon.com/sarolynch
*WHERE ELSE YOU CAN FIND ME*
Website: sarosings.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/sarosings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/song_speak_...
*LYRICS*
Dark is the cloud that rests over the nation
Wild is the war cry that pierces the air
God’s heavy judgements spread wide desolation
Strong hearts are bound in the depths of despair.
Lord, may the bands of the captive be broken
Oh may this struggle bring true liberty
Teach man that love is a heaven-born token
And that the truth can alone make us free.
Guide Zion’s children in this trying hour
Keep us dependent on thy love and care
Down in the valley we find thy true power
Lord in thy mercy oh guard us still there.
*CREDITS*
Writer and Producer: Saro Lynch-Thomason
Script Editor: Ben Fink
Editorial Advice: Rochelle Hudson
*Sources:
"The Shaker Experience in America," by Stephen J. Stein. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University, 1992.
"The Shaker Spiritual," by Daniel W. Patterson. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 1979.
"This Republic of Suffering: Death and the America Civil War," by Drew Gilpin Faust. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008.
*Images:
“Sister Cecilia DeVere, North Family, Mount Lebanon, NY,” Courtesy of the Shaker Museum
“Portrait of Sister Cecilia DeVere,” Courtesy of the Shaker Museum
“In a Shaker Kitchen, Mount Lebanon, NY,” Courtesy of the Shaker Museum
Learn more about the Shaker Museum at shakermuseum.us
“George Whitefield Preaching in Bolton, June 1750,” Thomas Walley (1817–1878), Bolton Museum and Art Gallery
"John Wilkes Booth fleeing via the stage at Ford's Theater, April 14, 1865, artist's impression, zoomable image," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/41204.
“Confederate flag imagery at Rally Against Gun Control at the Minnesota State Capitol,” by Fibonacci Blue. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en Image has been cropped.
*Music & Sounds:
“Kilkerrin,” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Pitro”, by Charles Peguri
“An Oddly Formal Dance,” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Shrewsbury,” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Ringing Bell Happy” by Domrodrig
“Buzzing Sound Effect” by User 7146007
