Goin' Home

Composer
Difficulty
Easy radio_button_checked radio_button_unchecked radio_button_unchecked radio_button_unchecked radio_button_unchecked
Voicing(s)
Category
Instrumental Only?
No
Description

SATB, Solo, and optional keyboard. Dvorák's theme from the Largo of his New World Symphony (No. 9) was adapted into the spiritual-like song "Goin' Home" by Dvorák's pupil, William Arms Fisher, who wrote the lyrics in 1922. Dvorák himself may have modeled the tune on the spirituals written by composer Harry Burleigh, whom he met during his sojourn in America. This arrangement by Rob Lehman is both simple and beautiful, neither overdone, nor cloying. It's just right.

For a funeral, memorial, remembrance, All Saints Day, or other occassion.

Audio
Lyrics

Goin' home, goin' home,
Lord I'm goin' home.

No more tears, no more cares,
No more grief to bear,
Jesus, Jesus is waiting over there.
All the saints in heav'n above,
all the saints we knew,
gone home to Jesus,
I am goin' too.