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Words: Traditional Spiritual
Here is a sumptuous arrangement in 8 voices (reminiscent
of English glees) of a favourite spiritual. After a gentle ragtime piano introduction (homage to Joplin), the women enter in 2 parts, then the men are heard in 4 parts, and finally the whole eight voices come together on the words "Promised Land", in a rich and full setting. It covers a wide range (sopranos to high B, basses to low C) but choruses that have singers with those notes will find the piece most rewarding.
It has had several
performances that I know of, and is a good piece for an accomplished amateur choir. I have placed the text and a live performance here for your enjoyment. The performing group is the Da Camera Singers of Edmonton, Canada, a group I sang with for many years. If you listen carefully you can hear my voice in the top tenor!
My enjoyment of ragtime piano can also be heard in my "Rag-Sextet" for woodwind quintet and piano.
The score for Deep River may be obtained from the Canadian Music Centre, or by sending me an email (below).
Duration: 3.5 minutes
Deep River
Deep River, my home is over Jordan,
Deep River, I want to cross over into campground.
Oh, don't you want to cross over,
To that Gospel feast?
To that Promised Land,
Where all is peace?
Deep River, my home is over Jordan,
Deep River, I want to cross over into campground.
- American Spiritual -
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