Sweet Is the Day (2001)

Sweet Is the Day: A Sacred Harp Family Portrait follows the Woottens, a prominent family who has played a vital role in keeping Sacred Harp music alive for over 150 years. Producer/Folklorist Erin Kellen and Director Jim Carnes blend footage of family gatherings, singing events, and rural life in northeast Alabama with personal stories and over a dozen examples from the traditional shape-note music. The film examines how Sacred Harp singing is deeply connected to life – shaping traditions, faith, and the strong sense of community it fosters.