PA5036
Nobody knows the trouble I see
Music: Trad. arr. Paul Ayres, Words: Trad. African American
Voicing: SSSAA
Performance time approx: 3m 30s
Range S1 & S2: c' – f'' / S3: b'♭ – d'' / A1: b'♭ – c''' / A2: f – c''
Price code: D
Complexity:
This beautiful arrangement of the African American spiritual recalls the simplicity and power of traditional spirituals in the unison refrains, but melts into floating 5-part harmony in the verses. Aleatoric sections, in which each singer sings in their own time, work well with the pentatonic melody to create a harmonious and atmospheric cloud of sound.
Listen to the recording of the Queldryk Chamber Choir (directed by the arranger) for an example of how to perform the piece.
For a contrasting spiritual, see Wade in the water (SATB, piano) by Tony McDonald.
Nobody knows the trouble I see,
Nobody knows but Jesus,
Nobody knows the trouble I see,
Glory Hallelujah!
Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down,
Oh yes Lord,
Sometimes I’m almost to the ground,
Oh yes Lord.
Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down,
Oh yes Lord,
But all the time I’m heavenly bound,
Oh yes Lord.
If you get there before I do,
Oh yes Lord,
Tell all my friends I’m coming too,
Oh yes Lord.
Traditional