On the Face of the Deep: Ten Sea Shanties on Biblical Stories

Cantore men’s acapella group presents a concert and album release. On the Face of the Deep is ten original sea shanties based on biblical stories, told from the perspectives of the sailors and sea people of the ancient world. Lyrics by biblical scholar and sailor Linford Stutzman, music by Cantore. Linford will tell a short story on the background for each song, and Cantore will sing the complete set in concert for the first time. The shanties include stories about people like Noah, Jonah, Paul, and John, and places like the Sea of Galilee, Corinth, Tyre, and Patmos.
Linford Stutzman is a former professor at Eastern Mennonite Seminary who left his position twenty years ago to buy a sailboat in the Mediterranean. On their first voyage, Linford and his wife, Janet, visited all 36 ports mentioned in the book of Acts in connection with Paul—an 18-month trip. Since then, they have continued to sail the area and have led many tours and seminars focused on biblical history, ancient sailing routes, and Paul’s journeys. Linford also writes books on biblical history and the sea, including Sailing Acts (named for their ship).
Cantore, eight men who love to sing, was founded in 2002 and has performed more than 300 concerts. They sing all sorts of music, from classical to gospel bluegrass. In 2020, Linford proposed the shanties project to the group after he heard them sing the shanty-ish “Seven Joys of Mary” at a Christmas concert. Several group members wrote original music for the biblical sea shanties, and the group worked together to polish it. Recording for the album was finally completed in January 2024.
There are two performances of this concert: April 13 and 14, 7 p.m., at Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Avenue, Harrisonburg. Free-will offering. CDs and informational booklets available for purchase.
Contact:
Cantore at cantoremusic@gmail.com or mail@cantoremusic.com