Shouting at Amen Corner
Tuesday April 3, 2007
Which holes make up Amen Corner at Augusta National Golf Club? And how did the phrase "Amen Corner" become such a part of the lore of The Masters?
The origin of the term is covered in one of our Masters FAQs. The short version: sportswriter Herbert Warren Wind, recalling an old jazz song titled "Shouting at Amen Corner," coined the term in a 1958 issue of Sports Illustrated.
But how did the writer of that jazz song come up with the phrase "Amen Corner"? Reader Chris Jenkins wrote in with that answer:
Back around 1900, the center of Bible manufacturing was in lower New York City. The hub of that activity became a popular spot for sidewalk preachers to shout out the old-time religion (thus the song title). ... There were so many "Amen!" shouts heard each day, that the term "Amen Corner" evolved. Note: Our family Bible, which has been in the family for years, clearly lists the Bible manufacturer's address as ... Amen Corner, New York City.
Thanks, Chris. Now we know the rest of the story.
Check out the Masters FAQ for more.
Comments
I thought you might like to know there is a street in Newcastle England called Amen Corner
what was the name of the artist
who first recorded the song?
Actually, I refer you to this link: http://www.bartleby.com/cgi-bin/texis/webinator/sitesearch?FILTER=col61&query=amen+corner&x=0&y=0 to give you a more comprehensive definition. The rector of my church refers to the pews with the most vociferous praying as “the amen corner.” Check it out!
and here’s another, from dictionary.com.
Amen corner
–noun Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.
a place in some Protestant churches, usually at one side of the pulpit, occupied by worshipers leading the responsive amens of the congregation.
[Origin: 1855–60, Americanism]