Very pretty, and the doleful character of the old spiritual really comes
out in your skillful arrangement. I probably sound like a broken
record, but I think this could use more variations; there are so many
possible treatments of the tune, and I guess I just wanted to hear
more. Also, I don't know if this is possible in GB, but is there any way
to get some breath breaks in there? The instruments sound
remarkably realistic, and I think incorporating some breath breaks
(they'd probably just be eighth-rests) would add to the realism.

I'm also curious about the origins of this tune. I have always just
assumed it was Appalachia, but that's based on nothing, just a hunch.

Thanks very much for this!

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Thanks for checking this out! I agree that there's a lot more that could be
done in an arrangement of this piece, and my son (Sophomore in H.S. who
plays saxophone) was also adding a countermelody line vocally while
listening to it. (This surprised me, as he says he can't sing, and isn't good at
improvisation.) This arrangement, however, is hopefully going to be used by a
group of 6th through 8th graders with adult bassoonist for special music in
church this summer, with a minimum of practice help. Therefore, limited
range, limited rhythmic complexity, and very strong melody line.
Also, the breath breaks is a good suggestion. Whenever I write something on
Finale and bring it into GarageBand, I get the breathing situation. It sounds
like all of the players are experts at circular breathing. Maybe they could add
the sound of breathing to some of the MIDI instruments, like they have the
'string squeak' sound for guitar, and I could add it to the song. Or, maybe, I
could just go through with the pencil tool and shorten up the ends of
phrases, too. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.

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But the song is included on Jed Marum's "Fighting Tigers of Ireland: A US
Civil War Collection". Taking a perilous leap, since I have no idea of Jed
Marum's research is corect (I found it on iTunes, so no liner notes), since
there is a strong presence of Irish/Scottish folk in Appalachian music, it
lends some support to Clark's hunch. Also, I think this could easily be
rearranged for the Chieftains. ;)
I like your doleful arrangement here. Sometimes the synthetic quality of
the sound (especially on how some of the notes were ended) distracted
me, but overall, very enjoyable.

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I thought doleful was an odd word for me to use ... I just re-read Clark's
comment. Duh.
Make that melancholy. ;)

---
Ars longa, vita brevis.

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Mungo, thanks for the info about origins. I've always assumed that this was a
white spiritual, but as I've done a bit of research, I've found it with a collection of
Negro Spirituals, Songs from Appalachia, and Southern Hymns, so maybe its true
origins aren't as important as the fact that it has a haunting melody and lyrics,
and it's been taken and used by many people. There are also several variations
on the lyrics, and a strong alternate version of the melody that was notated and
played on the 'Negro Spirituals' site.

Thanks for listening to my doleful, melancholy, haunting arrangement :)

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There is some debate about the origins of this song ... some claim early 19th C Irish immigrants brought with them to the America. Others claim the song developed in the African American churches prior to the American Civil War. Both claims may have merit ... but for my money, the song certainly was sung and is documented in similar form to today's versions in the slave churches of antebellum USA. I would say the song essentially came into being as a "negro spiritual" even if it had earlier versions.

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I love the celtic vibe... and the scotsman in me is ready to suit up, it
sounds as though I'm being called from another time... great arranging
under the melody.. those desending chords are perfect

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Thanks, Scott. I'm actually of Dutch descent, myself, but this melody speaks to
me, too. I'm glad you came to listen.
Although I don't have the lyrics included, they always run through my mind as I
listen to the song, and the combination of words and melody are really perfect.

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I can definitely hear more in here, though without technical training Im at
a loss to explain myself properly.

That being said... it totally shifted my mood from happy/hyper to dirgey/
downer (but in a good introspective way). I think (with me anyways) that
that the emotive response or lack there of from your audience is as good
a measure as any to whether a particular piece works or not. This
completely worked for me. I cant wait to hear any changes you make to it.

Thank you for posting it!

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I'm glad you came to listen. Although it's simple for practical reasons, I think
many of us from western culture pick up on those altered chords, and feel the
emotions they're intended to convey. Classically, the Neopolitan, Italian, German
& French 6th chords all convey a different feel, and were (are) used in opera to
signal plot devices and convey emotional development. This isn't that intentional
or complex, of course, but I'm glad you felt the emotions I was trying to convey,
simple as they were.

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It was jarring, at first, to hear this tune presented in a classical way, but your arrangement unfolds like a morning lily and the song retains its character while offering glimpses of history that may've been overlooked. The technical limitations do reign it in a tad, but I can hear where you're going with this and it is infinitely moving. Nice work, KristyJo!

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dreadmon, thanks for listening! It is a departure from the song's usual
presentation, so I'm glad you stayed to listen to the whole piece and comment.

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very peaceful. really beautiful arrangement. i don't even notice that
they're software instruments. keep it up.

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Thanks for listening! I'm glad you found the software instruments easy to listen
to. I think it will sound better on real instruments, but I'm sure, given the
experience level of the players, there will be many more errors, too. I enjoyed
listening to a couple of your own compositions, too.

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I like the melody, counter melodies and harmonies. The flute melody is beautiful. I did enjoy!

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I'm glad you heard the simple moving lines and counter-melody. Thanks for
listening - I appreciate your comments.

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I love the feeling this gives me like almost being in an historic movie.
This is a real treat.

How can you put a price on a feel good tune!
Cause that is what you are doing, making feel good. Listening to those
pleasant sounds is a treat for my soul. I think sounds like this is a great
way to help people relax.

Way to go!!!!!

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I love the feeling this gives me like almost being in an historic movie.
This is a real treat.

How can you put a price on a feel good tune!
Cause that is what you are doing, making feel good. Listening to those
pleasant sounds is a treat for my soul. I think sounds like this is a great
way to help people relax.

Way to go!!!!!

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Thanks for visiting! I like hearing how other people 'hear' the music, and I think
early 20th century fits for me, too.

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You have a very pretty sounding piece here, a nice arrangement (which
has a bit of an early 20th century feel to it - reminded me in places of
the folk song arrangements of Vaughan Williams or Delius). Also
there's more than a hint of Summertime about it - some of the chord
sequences are similar.

From where I am as a muscian, this sounds a bit too classical and I felt
that some of the ebb and flow I'd expect from a folk style was missing.
I'm guessing that you might have had a written source for this (so
apologies if it wasn't) and my experience with traditional music (for
fiddle) is that how a tune is typically written and the style in which it is
played are quite different (i.e. not a literal rendering of the notes on
the page).

KK



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last of the mohicans. I doubt there's a connection in anyones mind but
my own :-), but this inspire native american indian imagery with me.
quite a feat to pull this off with such depth. great job

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this has long been one of my favorite spirituals. You do it justice...and
then some. If mercy had a soundtrack this would be it. Very well done!

God bless!


Check out SOME GOLDEN DAYBREAK [Remix]:
http://www.macjams.com/song/22449

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this has long been one of my favorite spirituals. You do it justice...and
then some. If mercy had a soundtrack this would be it. Very well done!

God bless!


Check out SOME GOLDEN DAYBREAK [Remix]:
http://www.macjams.com/song/22449

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You did such a pretty job on this Kristine.

God bless,

Rick


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I have an LP that's so old, it is almost worn out, this was one of the tunes on it.Yours sounds better.
Seamus

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What a nice thing to say! Thanks for listening.

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which GB used?

I would do it__like you! =)
bravissimo!

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I used the JamPack Symphony Orchestra (It was number 4 when they had
numbers.) I also have made my own oboe sound using the Garritan Personal
Orchestra oboe (which came with my Finale notation software) as the basis, and
then changing some of the reverb, etc. to fit better with the other instruments.
Then I have a 'small hall' setting that I use for the master track. (This also was
one that I took from somewhere else and then changed slightly.) I rarely use
software instruments as they are given to use- I usually change them slightly.
Thanks for listening to several of my recent posts and making comments!

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I just finished listening to Amagi's version which is much different, but I like this too. Oh...he is telling everyone to check yours out! Very nice of him!

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This sounds great. What a nice melody.


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