a singing
Singing, or while singing; also a community hymn-sing gathering.
Also called a-singing, a singin'.
Updated September 21, 2026
a singing pronunciation
/uh SING-in/
Meaning
Two close uses share the sound. One is the mountain a-prefix on a verb: "they came a-singing" means they came while they sang. The other is a noun for a social hymn or gospel sing, often at a church, where folks gather to sing together. Either way the g often drops: "a singin'."
How folks use it
- “They came down the road a-singing.”
- “We're going to a singing over at Pleasant Hill Saturday night.”
Origin and etymology
The a- on verbs like singing comes from older English on or an before an -ing form, kept alive in Appalachian speech. The gathering sense grew out of rural church life, including shape-note and gospel sings where the whole room joins in.
Frequently asked questions
Is "a singing" always a church event?
No. It can just mean someone is singing. When folks say they are "going to a singing," they usually mean a group hymn or gospel gathering.