Composer

:

Traditional Spiritual

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:35

"Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass" is a traditional spiritual that dates back to the early 20th century. The exact date of its composition is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in the African American church community in the southern United States. The song's premiere is also unknown, but it has been performed and recorded by numerous artists over the years, including Mahalia Jackson, Blind Willie Johnson, and the Staple Singers. The song is typically performed in a call-and-response style, with a lead vocalist singing the verses and a choir or congregation responding with the refrain "Sinner, please don't let this harvest pass." The lyrics are a plea for sinners to repent and turn to God before it is too late, using the metaphor of a harvest to represent the end of one's life and the judgment that follows. The song is typically divided into three or four movements, with each verse building on the previous one to create a sense of urgency and desperation. The first movement establishes the theme of the song, with the lead vocalist singing lines like "The harvest is past and the summer's gone / And yet my soul has not been saved." The second movement emphasizes the consequences of sin, with lines like "The Lord will come and He won't be long / And He'll separate the right from the wrong." The third movement is a plea for mercy and forgiveness, with lines like "Lord, have mercy on me / And save my soul eternally." Some versions of the song include a fourth movement that celebrates the joy of salvation, with lines like "I'm so glad I'm saved / And I'm on my way to heaven's gate." The characteristics of "Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass" are typical of traditional spirituals, including a simple melody, repetitive lyrics, and a strong emphasis on faith and salvation. The song's use of metaphor and imagery is also characteristic of the genre, as is its call-and-response structure. Overall, "Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass" is a powerful and moving expression of the African American religious experience, and it continues to be a beloved and influential song in the gospel music tradition.

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