NRR Project: 'The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest' (1953)

 NRR Project: “The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest”

Composed and spoken by Rev. C.L. Franklin

Recorded 1953

30:29

Evangelical Christianity has a long tradition of powerful, emotionally impactful speechifying. Whether a sermon from a minister or witness from a member of the congregation, inspired oratory is the norm in this branch of beliefs. What was in the Old World a staid practice turned, through the mouths of Americans, into a whirlwind, enthusiastic, transcendent activity.

One of the most admired practitioners of this soul-stirring style of declamation was the Rev C.L. Franklin, a Baptist preacher in Detroit. Such was his renown that record store owner Joe Von Battle recorded this sermon and released it on 78 rpm discs. Read Nick Salvatore’s excellent essay on this selection at the National Recording Registry here.

Franklin’s approach is intensely dramatic. Starting his sermon with slowly voiced statements, Franklin picks up in volume and intensity as he hits the main points of his lecture. The congregation, as is usual in evangelical churches, responds frequently with comment and encouragement. Finally, Franklin turns incantatory, expressing himself almost musically with rhythmic cadence and swooping phrasing, whipping his listeners up into an inspired frenzy, drawn ecstatically to God.

Franklin’s showmanship at the pulpit inspired many – not least, his daughter . . . Aretha.

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next time: Hound Dog.