Won't You Join Me By The River? (Band and Singer)

Download Includes: PDF’s of Full Score, Vocal Score, and All Parts

"Oh, brothers will you meet me?"

"Glory, Glory Hallelujah!"

"Won't you join me by the river?"

This classic American folk hymn has been repackaged with different texts

many times over the few hundred years of its existence. From it's origins

in the Protestant camp meetings, this tune has been a memorable

part of the American songbook for some time, possibly because its

repetitive structure and simple chord progression make it easy to play,

sing, and pick up on.

I just finished the arrangments for a Judy Garland musical, and one of the

songs requested was her performance of "Battle Hymn of the Republic,"

which is Julia Howe's version of the text overlayed on the timeless-sounding

melody. It's been stuck in my head for some time, so I decided to put my own

spin on things.

Initially I kept Howe's lyrics, fantastic as they are, but after some

consideration (and after thinking up the chorus, which isn't really a particularly

impressive feat) I decided to pen a few of my own, centering around the idea

of baptism at the riverside.

This arrangement starts with an intro that is almost Theatre/Disney-esque

before the start of the melody proper. From there, it's basically a straight shot

to the end; this arrangement follows the natural structure of the text through

three verses and choruses with a tag and ending. Pretty straightforward. The

third verse pulls back quite a bit before the big ending.

Orchestration

Lead Vox - Baritone (G2-G3)

Backing Vox - Unison

Synth (Strings)

Keyboard (Piano)

Electric Bass (opt. Upright)

Percussion (Triangle, Chimes, Marching Cym.)

Drum Set (Brushes, Sticks)