In this arrangement of Bill Withers? classic tune, the choir takes on the characteristics of his backing band, creating smokey saxophone textures, horn hits, and of course the iconic bass guitar riff.

The middle of the score contains a nice feature for four individual singers to step out from the ensemble and create a blended quartet sound, à la New York Voices, Manhattan Transfer, or The Hi-Lo?s.

William Billings was America's first professional composer. Chester was America's first war song, and a favorite of patriots during the American Revolutionary War. This stirring arrangement for SATB Chorus and Piano begins with the male voices, singing as though marching into battle, with the female voices entering at just the right time to round off the music in a rousing conclusion. It is appropriate for schools and students.