ACT I
(Pastor Oglethorpe enters. He goes to the piano and plays “Rock of Ages.” He runs a quick comb through his hair and moves to the pulpit. He stands there for a long beat trying to decide what to say.)
OGLETHORPE: God scratches where the world itches. (Pause.) The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about folks afflicted with itching ears, and I believe… (He must confess.) I do not know where they got off to. I purely do not. I directed that down to the Eat’n’Run over an hour ago, and they simply have not come back. They’ve been here, you see their things. They Eat’n’Run is usually true to its name. But I’m confident they’ll be here any minute, so I’ll press on and take this opportunity to welcome each and every one of you to the first-ever Saturday Night Sing at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. I recall Job 35:10 – But none saith, Where is God my maker, who gives song in the night. Amen. A special greeting to all you folks from the Antioch, Free Will, and Fire-Baptized Holiness. The doors of Mount Pleasant swing on welcome hinges. And I am surprised and delighted to see Miss. Maude and Miss. Myrtle in the Amen Corner. These dear ladies had some strong reservations about guitars and fiddles in the church, but I see you’ve had a change of heart. (They haven’t.) I have not been this excited since I received the conviction to preach. I think it’s a true sign of the modern times when we can gather together on a Saturday night, and I can look out on all the menfolk and see nothing but shirtsleeves! Not a suit coat in sight. When I received the call to this church after Preacher Dryman passed away, - Does it seem like a year already? – I said to myself, Mervin, what can you bring the good folks at Mount Pleasant? (Pastor Oglethorpe strolls away from the pulpit.) And I studied on it, and the answer was progress. Here we are just two years shy of 1940, and look what God has wrought! Every time I look up at that electrical light bulb, I thank God – and the generous contributions of Miss. Maude and Miss. Myrtle – for progress. Us Baptists are pushing on into the modern world. You all look so good sitting out there, I think I’ll take the liberty myself. It’s hot. (Pastor Oglethorpe removes his coat. He places the coat on a pew and returns to the pulpit.) You know, I wouldn’t even know about the Sanders family at all if my car ran right. True story. I was on my way back from visiting my Mama and Daddy a couple of Saturdays ago – Oh, Mama told me to thank you so much for your prayers on her cyst. She called me on the telephone Tuesday night to say it just fell off in her hand. Praise the Lord – So I’m on Highway 11 towards Siler City when all of a sudden steam starts rolling up from under my hood. But as the Lord would have it, Mr. Sanders runs a filling station along that very piece of road. And I’m predicting God was at the wheel when he turned me into the Sanders place –
(Paster Oglethrope is on a roll now. He could talk all night. June Sanders enters, running full speed down the aisle. She speaks to people as she goes.)
JUNE: I’m sorry. I am sorry. We are very sorry. We are so very sorry. (June arrives on stage out of breath.) Reverend Oglethorpe, would personally like to apologize on behalf of my entire family for our lateness. Our tardiness. We’ve had an accident.
OGLETHORPE: Lord have mercy! Is anybody hurt?
JUNE: Just ruffled. But we turned the bus over in a ditch.
OGLETHORPE: (Overlapping.) Goodness gracious.
JUNE: Out by the pickle plant. (To congregation.) Y’all have little cucumbers floating down the middle of Mount Pleasant. (To Pastor, accusingly.) Did you know that?
OGLETHROPE: Why yes, the factory lets a few of them get away, I guess.
JUNE: Looked like thousands. Thousands and baby gherkins. That’s a big waste of pickle if you ask me. (To congregation.) The twins got so excited, they got Daddy to pull over for a looksee. We all ran over to that side of the bus for the view. I’m guessing the berm was soft, ‘cause we just kept going.
OGLETHROPE: And no one was hurt?
JUNE: Only my Daddy’s price and my sister’s hairdo, which are both sins if you ask me. But I do sincerely apologize.
OGLETHORPE: Where’s everything else?
JUNE: Back with the bus. A couple stopped to help us – Smitty and Joanna Cates – do y’all know them? They said they were Methodist – so I didn’t know. Miss. Joanna gave me a ride over here, and Mr. Smitty stayed to help rock the bus back up.
OGLETHORPE: That was real nice of them.
JUNE: I asked didn’t they want to come hear us sing tonight, but they said it was their card-playin night. (Pause. Let the horror of card playing soak in.) I’m real sorry.
OGLETHORPE: Where are my manners? (To congregation.) I’d like you to meet Miss. Denise Sanders of the Sanctified Sanders Singers.
JUNE: Excuse me. I’m June. Denise is my sister – one of the twins. Easy to tell us apart. She sings. I sign.
OGLETHORPE: For the deaf?
JUNE: (Signing.) That’s correct. (June begins to sign everything Pastor Oglethorpe says.)
OGLETHORPE: Well, the Lord made people talented in a lot of different ways. I’m thankful for the variety.
JUNE: (Agreeing.) I don’t sing. I sign.
(The signing begins to really discombobulate Pastor Oglethorpe.)
OGLETHORPE: That’s wonderful. A wonderful talent. But all our flock is hearing.
JUNE: Mama says I need to practice.
OGLETHORPE: Well, that’s a wonderful talent.
JUNE: And we’re not called the Sanctified Sanders Singers anymore. Mama says all those s’s sound like a snake a-hissing.
VERA: (From the back.) June!
JUNE: Mama! Here they are!
OGLETHORPE: (Gets carried away.) The Sanders Family, ladies and gentlemen! I mean, brothers and sisters – (To Miss. Maude and Miss. Myrtle.) I’m sorry.
(The rest of the Sanders family flies in. Bedlam.)
BURL: No, we’re sorry. We are so, so sorry. Aren’t we sorry, children?
DENISE: Yes, very sorry.
(Many apologies all around.)
VERA: Romans 9:2 – I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
(The Sanders fling themselves into position during the next exchange.)
OGLETHORPE: Jeremiah 31:12 – They shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
VERA: I was overcome with my trouble and sorrow – Psalms 116:3.
(The tornado that is the Sanders family gradually quiets to listen to the end of the dueling Bible verses.)
OGLETHORPE: Thy sun will never set again, and thy moon will wane no more. The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and thy days of sorrow shall end. – Isaiah 60:20.
JUNE: Oh, Mama.
BURL: Thank you so much for having us, Brother Oglethrope and Mount Pleasant Baptist. This is our first sing in five years, and, what with the bus turning over with us like that, I guess we’re just a little bit addled. I’m telling you, when that bus started tipping over, I thought we’d be swimming for sure. Vera’s legs were sticking straight up in the air – (Mortified, Vera loudly plays the opening chord of the first song to shut Burl up.)
[THE CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD]
FAMILY: THERE’S A CHURCH IN THE VALLEY BY THE WILDWOOD,
NO LOVELIER SPOT IN THE DALE;
NO PLACE IS SO DEAR TO MY CHILDHOOD
AS THE LITTLE BROWN CURCH IN THE VALE.
(O COME, COME, COME, COME.)
(June strikes a triangle on the fifth “Come.” The family looks at her with approval. June grins from ear to ear.)
COME TO THE CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD,
O COME TO THE CHURCH IN THE VALE;
NO PLACE IS SO DEAR TO MY CHILDHOOD
AS THE LITTLE BROWN CHURCH IN THE VALE.
(Pastor Oglethorpe moves to the pulpit to speak and realizes they’re going to sing another. He retreats.)
[WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE]
STANLEY: EV’RYBODY’S GONNA HAVE RELIGION IN GLORY,
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA BE SINGING THAT STORY,
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE.
BURL: NOW, LISTEN, EV’RYBODY, ‘CAUSE I’M TALKING TO YOU:
THE LORD IS THE ONLY ONE TO CARRY YOU THROUGH.
YOU BETTER GET YOU READY ‘CAUSE I’M TELLING YOU WHY:
JESUS IS A-COMING FROM HIS THRONE ON HIGH.
We are the Sanders Family Singers from up around Siler City. I’m Burl. Standing here slapping the bass is my brother Stanley, just come back to us.
STANLEY: Pleased to be here.
BURL: And on the piano is my wife Vera.
VERA: READING IN THE BIBLE ALL THE THINGS HE SAID,
SAID HE WAS A-COMING BACK TO RAISE THE DEAD.
ARE YOU GONNA BE AMONG THE CHOSEN FEW?
WILL YOU MADE IT THROUGH?
FAMILY: EV’RYBODY’S GONNA HAVE RELIGION IN GLORY,
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA BE SINGING THAT SOTRY,
EV’RYBODY’S GONNAHAVE A WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE.
OH! GLORY, HALLELUJAH!
BROTHER, THERE’S A RECKONING A-COMING IN THE MORNING.
BETTER GET YOU READY, ‘CAUSE I’M GIVING YOU THE WARNING.
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE.
BURL: And these are my twins. Denise – she’s the girl.
DENISE: Thank y’all for having us.
BURL: And Dennis is the boy.
(Denise pokes Dennis in the ribs.)
DENNIS: Thank y’all.
DENNIS,
DENISE: GOING DOWN THE VALLENY, GOING ONE BY ONE;
GONNA BE REWARDED FOR THE THINGS WE’VE DONE.
WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN AND THE PROMISED LAND,
THEN WE’LL UNDERSTAND.
FAMILY: EV’RYBODY’S GONNA HAVE RELIGION IN GLORY,
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA BE SINGING THAT STORY,
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE.
OH! GLORY, HALLELUJAH!
BROTHER, TEHRE’S A RECKONING A-COMING IN THE MO’RNING.
BETTER GET YOU READY, ‘CAUSE I’M GIVING YOU THE WARNING.
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE.
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA HAVE RELIGION IN GLORY,
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA BE SINGING THAT STORY,
EV’RYBODY’S GONNA HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE.
BURL: The Sanders Family!
OGLETHROPE: And June!
FAMILY: WE’LL HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE.
(After the song, Pastor Oglethorpe applauds to show his congregation it’s all right.)
OGLETHORPE: Yes! I do not think God would mind us clapping on a Saturday night.
BURL: The Sanders Family have been singing gospel for over thirty years.
(During Burl’s next speech, Pastor Oglethorpe will try to get a word in edge-wise. Pastor Oglethorpe fancies running this show, and it’s not turning out the way he expected.)
Back before mine and Stanley’s mother died –
OGLETHORPE: Not you Mama!
BURL: Bless her heard, she’s been gone from us six months now. But back then, we were a big family group. Sang at the state-wides every year from ’26 to ’30.
VERA: (Chiming in.) And fifteen hundred people once at a temperance meeting in Asheville.
(Burl’s pause lets Vera know he doesn’t need her help.)
BURL: One Mama got too brittle to ride in the bus, we had to give it up and act like a regular family. But not too long ago – (Realizes.) right after Mama died – Vera sat back down at the piano and started singing like I’ve never heard come out of that woman. She’d been banging away morning, noon, and way into the night. And I finally said to myself, Burl, you better do something about his or we’re gonna have to sleep in the yard. And I thought, well, the young’uns are raised, Mama’s been called home to eternal paradise, Vera’s got the itch something powerful. So I took it to the Lord. And just at the mention, He filled me heart to brimming with the thought of spreading the gospel through song and celebration. And I said Yes, Lord. And I took it to the rest of the Sanders, and they said –
FAMILY: (Together.) Yes, Lord!
BURL: Yes, Lord!
(All the Sanders except June gather around Burl.)
This is our first night back on the gospel circuit in five years. And, well, I know being proudhearted is a sin, but I feel something tonight. Like my heart’s about to bust standing up here again with my family. And after tonight, you can say you saw the Sanders Family when.
[BUILD ON THE ROCK]
FAMILY: BUILT UPON THE SOLID ROCK, THE HOUSE WILL STAND;
STORMS MAY BEAT UPON IT AND IN RAGE EXPAND,
NOT PREVAILING ‘GAINST THE ONE FOUNDATION GRAND;
THEN BUILD ON THE ROCK OF AGES.
BUILD ON THE ROCK, IT WILL STAND;
BUILD ON THE ROAD, NOT THE SAND;
STORMY WINDS MAY BLOW YOU,
BUT CANNOT OVERTHROW YOU
IF ON THE ROCK YOU’RE BUILDING RIGHT;
FOR SURE AND STEADY IT STANDS: FIRM, SECURE.
THROUGH AGES LONG ‘TWILL ENDURE;
SAFE ARE THE SOULS WHO HAVE BUILT ON THE ROCK,
THEY SHALL NOT BE REMOVED.
(Oglethorpe sings the last line of the song very loudly and lustily.)
OGLETHORPE: Praise the Lord. As Preacher, Choir Director, Chairman of Finance, Director of Education, and Youth Director, I’d like to welcome you to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. And thank you for sharing your beautiful voices with us tonight.
FAMILY: (Still stunned by Oglethorpe’s intrusion.) You’re welcome. (The Sanders disperse, seating themselves about the stage.)
VERA: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as for the Lord, not for man – Coloss –
OGLETHORPE: (Beating Vera to the draw.) Colossians 3:23. Amen. Thank you, Mrs. Sanders. And nothing gives me more joy than to know we are all standing here working for one thing. Getting right with Jesus in song and revelation.
FAMILY: Amen.
OGLETHORPE: But before we get carried away, I want us to take a minute to remember those in our flock who could not be with us tonight. (Pulls out a little card from his pocket.) Please join our prayer chain for Miss. Lola Biddle, beridden with the shingles. She is miserable. Lila and Bob Kirby and their new baby boy – a twelve-pounder.