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BL916 SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS CHILD *M/ T(T)B

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A

MOTHERLESS CHILD

T(T)B Voices with Piano

African American Spiritual Arranged by Lynn Shaw Bailey

Ranges:

Language: English Use: General/Festival Time: Approx. 2:57 *Diffi culty: Moderate

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Note from the ArrangerSometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child is an intensely emotional song. This traditional African-American spiritual is believed to have originated late in the nineteenth century and captures the lamentations of a hurting yet hopeful soul.

But we might not know about this song or many other spirituals that we sing today had it not been for the work of Henry “Harry” Thacker Burleigh. Burleigh was born in 1866 in Erie, Pennsylvania. His father was active in local Civil Rights and Abolition movements. His mother was a college graduate and a teacher, as well as the daughter of a freed slave named Hamilton Waters. Grandfather Waters frequently sang spirituals to Harry as they walked the streets together. Harry also had other positive influences in his life and a legacy of quiet heroes.

Burleigh became a world-famous composer, arranger and soloist, as well as an internationally-respected music editor and humanitarian. Burleigh was one of the first to compose American spirituals in classical composition form. He and Antonin Dvorak spent time together. Through his passionate work, Harry T. Burleigh bridged cultures, races and nations by using the inspiring songs of his ancestors.

Because he popularized the spirituals and showed the world their great power and beauty, Harry T. Burleigh became known as the “Father of Spirituals.” Burleigh's arrangement of Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child was first published for accompanied solo voice in 1917 by G. Ricordi & Co. of New York. Burleigh placed the expression “Lamentoso” at the beginning of the piece, an Italian word indicating a plaintive, sad or mournful mood.

In the original performance notes to this piece, Burleigh shared that success in singing this song is “primarily dependent upon deep spiritual feeling. The voice is not nearly so important as the spirit.” When singing these great spirituals, Burleigh said that, “Their worth is weakened unless they are done impressively, for through all these songs there breathes a hope, a faith in the ultimate justice and brotherhood of man. The cadences of sorrow invariably turn to joy, and the message is ever manifest that eventually deliverance from all that hinders and oppresses the soul will come, and man—every man—will be free.”

So, learn the right notes, words and rhythms. Sing with beautiful tone and dynamic integrity. Do all the right things from a "musical" perspective. But take it to the next level. Ask yourself, “What does it feel like to be an orphan?” Through the music, let your spirit feel and express the deep hurts and hopes of another. Create joy from the pain. Sow a seed of encouragement and love. Only then does your singing really nurture you and others. Only then does the music transcend the spiritual to become all the blessing it was created to be.

Soli Deo Gloria! L.S.B.

About the ArrangerLynn Shaw Bailey (b.1955) is a creative and innovative composer, arranger, lyricist and writer known best for her choral music. Published by more than a dozen companies, her music includes hundreds of sacred and educational works for adult, youth and children’s choirs, as well as compositions for piano, organ, handbells and instrumental ensembles.

Lynn’s professional affiliations include: American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Choristers Guild and the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP), where she has annually received ASCAP Awards since 1995. Lynn studied music at Oklahoma Baptist University and received the 2005 OBU Alumni Profiles in Excellence award for her compositions, as well as her fine arts education advocacy work. Lynn also holds degrees in journalism and nursing. She is frequently on the campus of Baylor University where she continues her music studies and mentors graduate and undergraduate students. A native of Georgia, she now lives in Waco, Texas. You can visit Lynn’s website at www.LynnShawBailey.com.

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Traditional SpiritualAdditional Words by Lynn Shaw Bailey

Expressive and free q = 74

Expressive and free q = 74

Arranged with Additional Music byLYNN SHAW BAILEY

for T(T)B Voices with Piano*Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

Tenor

Bass

Piano

Copyright © 2016 BLP Choral Music (ASCAP)International Copyright Secured.

All rights reserved, including performance rights.Printed in the U.S.A.

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* Also available in another key for Unison, Optional Two-Part Voices (BL689) and Solo Voice (BLB008).

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