Deep River
4-Part - Sheet Music

SATB choir, congregation, and organ - Intermediate

SKU: EC.8561

Composed by Mary Beth Bennett. Spirituals. Funeral, 21st Century, Americana. Octavo. E.C. Schirmer Publishing #8561. Published by E.C. Schirmer Publishing (EC.8561).

ISBN 600313485619. UPC: 600313485619. English.

Winner of the 2018 AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition, and composed in May 2017 on this specified text. The opening’s atmospheric and mysterious tone suggests a quiet mist over tranquil water, reflecting the trail of slaves through the Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia escaping captivity. The chorus is used here as tonal color while the organ moves slowly beneath as a winding, rippling river. As this ends, the music breaks into a faster motive utilizing an underlying mixed meter. With the words “Oh don’t you want to go…,” the phrases become shorter and more urgent. As the chorus proclaims “That promised land...,” the work comes to an animated climax, the organ then emerging as a solo, dancing and finally growing quieter to the choral entrance at “where all is peace.” The congregation enters singing the traditional melody while three part women’s voices add a harmonic descant commentary. Finally, returning to the opening mysterioso style, the congregation sings “I want to cross over into campground.” Duration: 5:00.