Part myth and part Scripture. The sacred harp refers to King David's harp, that was said to soothe the spirit of King Saul (who had been rejected by God for disobedience twice and given a demon to torment him). Whenever David played his harp, the demon relaxed and Saul was able to have a few moments peace. In this case the man's name is Daniel (not a reference to anyone in the Bible) but someone not of the lineage of David. The myth says the harp was passed down from father to son (this is presumably the lineage of David, from which Jesus came) and no one else could obtain it. The man listed could get the harp and asked for money first. After 3 years had passed, he returned with the harp from the region of the Sea of Galilee. Daniel was pleased to take the harp, but the man told him there would be one more requirement of him (his soul) but Daniel wouldn't listen to the man and just said "take what you may need," unaware the man who he was dealing with was the devil. Right away Daniel began playing the harp, but felt something was wrong. He went to his brother (who obviously knew Daniel's error but refused to help) and then to his father to ask what had he done? His father said "Daniel, you've won your harp but lost in sin." There was nothing anyone could do for poor Daniel, who ran off to play his harp on the hillside. Still feeling odd, at one point he looked down to see his shadow. To his horror, he cast no reflection because his soul was gone.
Part myth and part Scripture. The sacred harp refers to King David's harp, that was said to soothe the spirit of King Saul (who had been rejected by God for disobedience twice and given a demon to torment him). Whenever David played his harp, the demon relaxed and Saul was able to have a few moments peace. In this case the man's name is Daniel (not a reference to anyone in the Bible) but someone not of the lineage of David. The myth says the harp was passed down from father to son (this is presumably the lineage of David, from which Jesus came) and no one else could obtain it. The man listed could get the harp and asked for money first. After 3 years had passed, he returned with the harp from the region of the Sea of Galilee. Daniel was pleased to take the harp, but the man told him there would be one more requirement of him (his soul) but Daniel wouldn't listen to the man and just said "take what you may need," unaware the man who he was dealing with was the devil. Right away Daniel began playing the harp, but felt something was wrong. He went to his brother (who obviously knew Daniel's error but refused to help) and then to his father to ask what had he done? His father said "Daniel, you've won your harp but lost in sin." There was nothing anyone could do for poor Daniel, who ran off to play his harp on the hillside. Still feeling odd, at one point he looked down to see his shadow. To his horror, he cast no reflection because his soul was gone.