Evelyn K. Dudley SATB a cappella - seafarerpress.com · My search for lyrics first yielded ... a lyric — and bringing to it the soulful music of my childhood in the Carolinas and

Elizabeth Alexander

Seafarer Presswww.seafarerpress.com

SEA-075-01 $3.50

Winner of the Athena Festival Almquist Award

The Journey

Evelyn K. Dudley

SATB a cappella

The Journey

Lyric adapted from Evelyn Dudley by Elizabeth Alexander

I'll go alone if I have to.

If you're behind me when I begin this journey, stay there — for you will only hinder me.(I'll go alone if I have to.)

My footprints will vanish from this trail someday,but the seeds that I sow will remain and grow.

The fragrance from the fruit that is borne will draw those who hunger and thirst — those who seek God in Spirit and Truth.

(I'll go alone if I have to.)

For at the end of this journey waits a festive table filledwith blessings and prayers that I prayed and had forgotten.Have your fill of these blessings!

Oh, I am tired from the journey, and Jesus bids me rest,and I will sit on the porch of the kingdom,and realize the destination was no more important than the journey.

I'll go alone if I have to. On this journey, I'll go alone.

Original text copyright 1998 © by Evelyn K. DudleyAdapted text © 2007 by Elizabeth Alexander, for use in musical setting only.

Composer’s Note: The commission from Cincinnati Men’s Chorus was for a work celebrating the life and spirit ofCoretta Scott King — no small task! My search for lyrics first yielded tributes by well-known writers, singing thepraises of this courageous civil rights leader.

But the writing which finally called to me was not one of these poetic paeans. It was instead a modest personalreflection, which was inserted into the program of Mrs. King’s memorial service after the famous speakers had allbeen summoned. The author was Evelyn K. Dudley, the caregiver who watched over Mrs. King during her lastmonths of life.

Deeply rooted in the faith which sustained the civil rights movement, Dudley’s writing speaks to the faith andtenacity of all people, both sung and unsung, who strive to live lives of integrity and service. Crafting her words intoa lyric — and bringing to it the soulful music of my childhood in the Carolinas and Appalachian Ohio — was a laborof love.

Elizabeth Alexander’s passion for language is reflected in her catalogue of over 100 choral and vocal works, whichhave been performed by over 2000 choirs. Reviews of her music frequently comment on “the close personalresonance between the composer and the words.” She has received awards, grants and fellowships from theMcKnight Foundation, Jerome Foundation, New York Council on the Arts, Wisconsin Arts Board and National

Orchestral Association.

Elizabeth lives in St. Paul, MN, where her frequent commissions include works for orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles

and solo musicians. She reads voraciously, shamelessly encourages her teenagers’ jokes, and tends her garden during the

three month period in Minnesota that is not winter. She believes she has the best job in the world.

For more information on her music and current projects, visit www.elizabethalexander.com

© 2007 by Elizabeth Alexander

Please do not photocopy. Composing is my livelihood. -E.A.

Ten.Solo

S

A

T

B

I'll

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go a lone- if I have to, I'll go a lone,- If I

(h = 56-60)

for rehearsal only

Ten.Solo

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B

have to I'll go, I'll go a lone,-

5

I'll

p

go a lone,- I'll go, I'll go a lone,-

I'll

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I'll

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Evelyn K. Dudley

Commissioned by Cincinnati Men's Chorus and St. Paul Community United Methodist Church of Cincinnati

The JourneyElizabeth Alexander

Seafarer Press / SEA-075-01

Sop.Solo

T

B

mp

I'll go a lone- if I have to, I'll go a lone,- If I have to I'll go

9

I'll go a lone,- I'll go

I'll go a lone,- If I have to I'll go

I'll go a lone,-

Sop.Solo

T

B

a lone,- I'll go on the jour ney- a lone.-

13

a lone,- I'll go on the jour ney- a lone,- I'll go a lone,- a lone,-

on the jour ney- a lone,- I'll go a lone,- a lone,-

go a lone,- I'll go on the jour ney- a lone,- I'll go a lone,- a lone,-

2

S

A

T

B

16

I'll

mp

lay a side- ev’ ry- sin, ev’ ry- weight which may be set- me,

Oh,

p

ev’ ry- weight which may be set- me,

Oh,

p

ev’ ry- weight which may be set- me. If I

Oh,

p

ev’ ry- weight which may be set- me. If I

S

A

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B

I'll go a lone,- a lone,- I'll go a lone,- a lone.- If

mp

you're be -

21

I'll go a lone,- a lone,- I'll go a lone,- a lone,lone.- If

mp

you're be -

I'll go a lone,- a lone,- I'll go a lone,- a lone.- If

mp

you're be -

have to, I'll go a lone,- If

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you're be -

3

BassSolo

S

A

T

B

For

mf

you will

25

hind me when I be gin- my jour ney,- stay

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there,


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there,


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there,


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there,


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there,


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there,

4

Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generousweb designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B MichaeldeVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey,poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher,composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous webdesigner B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa,composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan WolfPrefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B StevenStucky, composer/teacher B Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B JohnGreenleaf Whittier, poet B Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood,poet B Yehudi Wyner, composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret &George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B RayBradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike,proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill,composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen,artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B GeraldRich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven Stucky, composer/teacher B Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John Greenleaf Whittier, poet B Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood, poet B Yehudi Wyner,composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis,composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper,technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King

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(YOU KNOW WHY.)

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FROM ELIZABETH ALEXANDER AT

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A LOT OF HARD WORK &CREATIVITY

WENT INTO BRINGING

THIS MUSIC TO YOU...

...AND SOME OF IT

WAS EVEN MINE.

BassSolo

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B

I'll go a lone,- if I have to.

33

I'll go a lone- if I have to, I'll go a lone- if I have to. Oh,

mfresolutely

my

I'll go a lone- if I have to, I'll go a lone- if I have to, Oh,

mfresolutely

my

I'll go a lone- if I have to, I'll go a lone- if I have to. My

mfresolutely

I'll go a lone- if I have to, I'll go a lone- if I have to. My

mfresolutely

S

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B

foot prints- will van ish- from this trail some day, but the

37


foot prints- will van ish- from this trail some day but the


div. nondiv.

6

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seeds I sow will re main- and grow, the

mp dolce

fra grance- of the

41


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fra grance- of the

seeds that I sow will re main- and grow, the

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fra grance- of the


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fra grance- of the

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A

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B

fruit that is borne will draw those who hun ger- and thirst,

47

fruit that is borne will draw those who hun ger- and thirst,

fruit that is borne will draw those who hun ger- and thirst, those

fruit will draw those who hun ger- and thirst, those

7

S

A

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B

those who seek God in Spi rit,- in Spi rit- and in

52

those who seek God in Spi rit,- in Spi rit- and in

who seek God in Spi rit,- in Spi rit- and in

who seek God in Spi rit,- in Spi rit- and in

Sop.Solo

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I'll

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go a lone- if I have to, I'll go a lone,-

57

Truth, a lone,- I will





8

Sop.Solo

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I'll

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go a lone- up on- the jour ney,-

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go a lone- - on the jour ney,-

go a lone- - on the jour ney,-

go a lone- - on the jour ney,- I'll go a -

go a lone- on the jour ney,- I'll go a -

go on the jour ney,- I'll go a -

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A

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B

For at the end

mf

of this jour ney- waits a fes tive- ta -

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At

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the end of this jour ney- waits a fes tive- ta -

lone, For at the end

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lone, For at the end

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9

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ble- filled with bless ings,- filled with bless ings- and prayers that I prayed

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ble-

filled with bless ings,- filled with bless ings- and prayers that I prayed



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and I had for got- ten,- Have

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your fill of these bless ings,-

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and I had for got- ten,- Have

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your fill of these bless ings,-

and I had for got- ten,- Oh, have

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your fill of these bless ings,- have your

and I had for got- ten,- Oh, have

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your fill of these bless ings,- have your

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

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3 3

10



(YOU KNOW WHY.)





WENT INTO BRINGING


...AND SOME OF IT

WAS EVEN MINE.

S

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tired from the jour ney,- I am tired, and

81

tired from the jour ney,- I am tired, and

tired from the jour ney,- Oh, I am tired, and

S

A

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Je sus- bids me rest. And

mf with energy

I will

85

Je sus- bids me rest. And

mf with energy

I will

Je sus- bids me rest, bids me rest, And

mf with energy

I will

Je sus- bids me rest, And

mf with energy

I will

And

mf with energy

I will

12

S

A

T

B

sit on the porch of the king dom,- - sit on the porch of the king -

89

sit on the porch of the king dom,- - I'll sit on the porch of the king -

sit on the porch of the king - dom, I'll sit on the porch of the king -

sit on the porch of the king - dom, I'll sit on the porch of the king -

S

A

T

B

dom,- on the porch of the king dom- and rest, will

92

dom,- on the porch of the king dom- and rest.

dom,- on the porch of the king dom- and rest, I will

dom,- on the porch of the king dom- and rest, I will

13

S

A

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B

rest. And

mp

re a- lize- the des tin- a- tion-

96

And

mp

re a- lize- the des tin- a- tion-

rest. And

mp

re a- - lize- the des tin- a- - -

rest. And

mp

re a- - lize- the des tin- a- - -

S

A

T

B

is no more im por- tant- than the jour ney,- than the

100

is no more im por- tant- than the jour ney,- than the

tion- is no more im por- tant- than the jour ney,- than the

tion- is no more im por- tant- than the jour ney,- than the

ten.

ten.

ten.

ten.

ten.

14

S

A

T

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jour ney,- the

f

jour ney:- - - I'll go a lone.-

103

jour ney,- the

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jour ney,- the jour ney,- the

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jour ney:- I'll go a lone.-


f



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S

A

T

B

107

I'll

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go a lone- if I have

I'll

mf


I'll

mf


15



(YOU KNOW WHY.)





WENT INTO BRINGING


...AND SOME OF IT

WAS EVEN MINE.

Sop.Solo

S

A

T

B

lone,

ff

- a lone,- a lone,-

115

lone,

ff

- I'll go a lone,- I'll go a lone,- I'll go a -

- lone,

ff

I'll go a lone,- I'll go a lone,- I'll go a go- a -

lone,

ff

- I'll go a lone,- a lone,- I'll go a lone,- I'll go a -

ff

a lone,- I'll go a lone,- I'll go a lone,- I'll go a -

ff

a lone,- a lone,- I'll go a lone,- I'll go a -

ff

a lone,- I'll go a lone,- I'll go a lone,- I'll go a -

17

Sop.Solo

AltoSolo

Ten.Solo

Bar.Solo

BassSolo

S

A

T

B

119

I'll

mf

go a lone- on the jour ney,-

I'll

f

go a lone,-

I'll

f

go a lone,-

lone,

f

I'll go a - - -

lone,

f

I'll go a - - -

lone,

f

I'll go a - - -

lone,

f

* I'll go a - - -

lone,

f

I'll go a - - -

* For better balance, some baritones may want to sing with the basses in mm.120-122.

18

Sop.Solo

AltoSolo

Ten.Solo

Bar.Solo

BassSolo

S

A

T

B

I

mf

will go a lone,-

rall. poco a poco

123

I

mf

will go,

I

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will go,

lone,- I'll go a lone,- -

(mp )

rall. poco a poco


(mp )


(mp )


(mp )


(mp )

19

Cover Art:

“Roaring Fork River by Carbondale” by Jonathan Machen.

Jonathan Machen lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife andtwo young children. He takes his inspiration from the peoplearound him and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and theAmerican Southwest. Jonathan also manages the Solstice CenterLLC, a healing arts facility in Boulder. Other loves are playingwith his kids, playing guitar, backpacking, skiing, bicycling andkayaking.

To see more of Jonathan’s illustrations, landscapes and photography, visit

www.jonathanmachen.com

Ten.Solo

S

A

T

B

On

mp freely, espressivo

this jour ney,- I'll go a lone,-

128

a lone,- - a

pp

lone,- - -

a lone,- - a

pp

lone,- - -

a lone,- - a

pp

lone,- - -

a lone,- - a

pp

lone,- - -

a lone,- - a

pp

lone,- - -

20

The Journey

Reprinted from Insert from Coretta Scott King’s Memorial Service Program

I’ll go alone if I have to. I’ll lay aside every sin and weight which so easily beset me. So ifyou’re behind me when I begin this journey, stay there, for you will only hinder me.

In my basket, in case you are wondering, are seeds to be sown. You see, this is a road lesstraveled and only a few they’ll be that will find it. My footprints will someday vanish from thistrail, but the seeds I sow will grow and bear fruit that will remain. The fragrance from this fruitwill draw hungry souls to sojourn with me, as we all seek God in Spirit and Truth.

Dust from this road tempts my thirst, but it is not mere water that I thirst for. The cup of destinycontains the substance that will quench my thirst, so only from destiny’s cup will I drink.

Eternity has allowed me only a few moments in time, so I must be about my Father’s businessand find my way back to where I belong. My steps are ordered towards a destination that hasbeen waiting for me since the laying of the world’s foundation. If I deviate from this journey, I’llonly delay my arrival.

Although my feet are shod with preparation, they still grow weary, so I must stand on thepromises of God to gain strength for miles of this road left untrodden.

At the end of this journey waits a festive table filled with blessings and prayers that I prayed andhad forgotten. Have your fill of these blessings! Divide them among my progeny to the fourthand fifth generation. For along the way, I’ve eaten of bread you know not of. I am full.

Tired from my journey, Jesus bids me to rest and extends His hands with an invitation. I’llgladly accept and sit on the porch of the Kingdom to recap my travels, and realize that thisjourney was just as important as the destination.

Evelyn K. Dudley

Copyright 1997 by the author. Used by permission.

One of eight children, Evelyn K. Dudley was born in 1959 in Americus, Georgia in a house built by her grandfather. Her father’s service in the army brought her family to Hartford, Connecticut, where she spent most of her early years.

Born with a severely dislocated hip, Dudley had six surgeries before the age of twelve, spending many months inwheelchairs and on crutches, and re-learning to walk after each operation. She received a great deal of love andhigh-quality care from her family members as well as from professionals, an experience which influenced herdecision to make caring for others a central part of her life. She began writing poetry in her teens, as a response tothese early experiences.

Dudley wrote “The Journey” in 1997 during a difficult time in her life, and subsequently used the writing as a sourceof strength. During the last year of Coretta Scott King’s life, Dudley served as her primary caregiver, and she shared“The Journey” with the King Family in the days after Mrs. King’s death in 2006. Such was the writing’s resonancewith the spirit and life of the civil rights leader that it was included as an insert in the program at her memorialservice program.

Dudley lives in Lithonia, Georgia, where she attends New Birth Church and volunteers at The Atlanta CollaborativeKitchen, a branch of Atlanta Community Food Bank and Project Open Hands. An honors graduate of culinary artsschool, she is the proud mother of two grown children and one grandchild.

Documents

Evelyn K. Dudley SATB a cappella - seafarerpress.com · My search for lyrics first yielded ... a lyric — and bringing to it the soulful music of my childhood in the Carolinas and