Seven years ago on October 19, composer Stephen Paulus succumbed to complications from a stroke he suffered the previous year. I met Stephen once back in 2001. We were two of five composers who had works commissioned by Brady Allred and the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh for their Christmas concert that year. I was certainly the least well know of the group, but Stephen was so gracious toward me - he was exactly like I thought he would be. I have always been so very fond of Stephen’s music. The anniversary of his passing falls exactly a week after my birthday, so I find it inescapable that I remember him every year. His beautiful setting of The Road Home - tune from the Southern Harmony Songbook of 1835 with this poignant text by Michael Dennis Browne - is a fitting way for us all to remember Stephen this day. We miss you Stephen -
I don't mean to sound morbid, but I love the message and performance of this piece so much, I've directed it to be played at my memorial service.... whenever the time comes.
When I heard this, I knew the tune immediately as coming from the tradition of American shape-note music, but I couldn't place it. After a little digging, I confirmed that the tune is based on "Prospect" which can be found in "The Southern Harmony" (p. 92 bottom) and in "The Sacred Harp" (p. 30 bottom). According to both books, the composition is attributed to "Graham". According to Warren Steel ("The Makers of the Sacred Harp"), nothing is known of this composer. In these two tunebooks, the text is by Isaac Watts and fits well with these words. Watts' first stanza is: "Why should we start or fear to die? What tim'rous worms we mortals are; Death is the gate of endless joy, And yet we dread to enter there."
I believe this gorgeous song is about the state of your spiritual home (not a physical place) The Road Home by S. Paulus Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo Tell me, where is the road I can call my own That I left, that I lost So long ago? All these years I have wandered Oh, when will I know There's a way, there's a road That will lead me home Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo After wind, after rain When the dark is done As I wake from a dream In the gold of day Through the air there's a calling From far away There's a voice I can hear That will lead me home Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo Rise up, follow me Come away, is the call With love in your heart As the only song There is no such beauty As where you belong Rise up, follow me I will lead you home Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo
Tell me, where is the road I can call my own, That I left, that I lost So long ago? All these years I have wandered, Oh when will I know There’s a way, there’s a road That will lead me home? After wind, after rain, When the dark is done, As I wake from a dream In the gold of day, Through the air there’s a calling From far away, There’s a voice I can hear That will lead me home. Rise up, follow me, Come away, is the call, With the love in your heart As the only song; There is no such beauty As where you belong; Rise up, follow me, I will lead you home.
I had the priviledge of singing this beautiful work with the Sacred Music Institute Choir at Indiana University under the direction of Dr. walter Huff back in June of 2017.
"Your cerebellum-mission control for body movement-becomes more active. Your brain flushes with dopamine and a tingly chill whisks down your back. About 50 percent of people get chills when listening to music. ... Music, it seems, may affect our brains the same way that sex, gambling, and potato chips do." - from Google. This is what happened to me when I listened to this. Truly beautiful
The (solo) treble singer is singing the descant for this song. It is a higher pitched version of the song; the upper part of the vocal range required of the rest of the choir. In other words, the descant is sung “above” the other singers who sing the principle melody. Its lyrics and tune are usually an additional/alternative and counter melody to the choir’s harmony. It is usually sung in the final verse of a hymn. A descant is sometimes described as a more ornamental part of the song, which lifts it to another level of emotion, feeling and meaning. It reaches the listener’s heart and mind more intensely, introducing then leading to even more of an uplifted spirit and reason to praise. However, its intention is not to detract from or “take over” the choir’s contribution. Rather, it used to complement it. The word can also refer to the more highly pitched instruments in a musical group.
Our community is performing "The Road Home" this Thursday night. This is such a beautiful song and so well done here. Our choir would like to slow it down and put some feeling into it, but the director is going by the instructions!
I'M TELLING YOU. This song is about a dog who got lost and the comes back home. Analysis: Tell me, where is the road I can call my own, That I left, that I lost
I have found a very moving rendition by Conspirare and Melissa Givens. I feel the same as you Rob. After listening to Conspirare and Melissa Givens, I would say this king's college rendition is beautiful, but lacks the soul.
While this piece sounds best by a collegiate/young professional American choir, and it may not be the perfect match for them, they still did very well.
