Presentations on Meher Baba’s Life and Message
The Center is dedicated to being a vibrant source of information about Meher Baba’s life and message. The programs listed below reflect a variety of ways of presenting and sharing this information to all who are interested. For more information on the “Meher Baba’s Life and Message” program, please click here.
Celebrating a Sacred Legacy
Cathy Riley
February 13, 7:15 p.m. at The Meeting Place
The old-time spirituals rose during the period of slavery. The oldest slave songs were message songs about escape – Go Down, Moses and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. After Emancipation in 1865, these songs took on a more Christian focus, as the slaves would attend church (in separate slave galleries) with their Master and family. In the 1920s, the blues permeated the black communities, birthing gospel music.
During His visit in 1958, Meher Baba asked that a recording of Marian Anderson be played. ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’ was played as well as ‘Let My People Go.’
After Happy Club was established in the late 1960s, Reverend Lee, his wife and their 10 children would come sing Gullah songs for and with the Happy Club kids, at Thanksgiving time and sometimes at Christmas time too.
When Kitty Davy was turning 99, Evelina Graham, the beloved employee at Dilruba, and Cathy Riley decided to sing an old-time spiritual for Kitty, to encourage her to strive to reach 100!
The words are:
99, 99, 99 and a half won’t do
I’m out here Lord, trying to make 100
99 and a half won’t do!
Cathy Riley collected 120 songs from Sumter County African American seniors in 1987-1988, and this concert is a commemoration of those powerful songs. To honor this legacy, you are cordially invited to celebrate with wonderful choirs and soloists, sharing these heartfelt spirituals.
Past Special Presentations on Meher Baba’s Life and Message
To view past presentations on Meher Baba’s Life & Message organized by speaker, please click here.