This arrangement is a medley of three spirituals: "Come down, angels," "Listen to the angels," and "My way's cloudy," all from The Story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, one of the earliest printed collections of slave spirituals. In all three, angels are the heavenly messengers who inspire and lead the singers out of bondage into the promised land. In this arrangement, the angels are not dimpled cherubs, but rather towering figures who energize the singers in their difficult and dangerous journey. Swing rhythm sections alternate with softer sections in straight rhythm, in this fine concert closer with barn-burning piano accompaniment. The spirituals' Exodus imagery makes this medley suitable for Passover programming, as well as for concerts which honor slave spirituals. SSAA and piano; 14 pages; duration: 5:00 min.; range: e to g#''; difficulty: medium.
