The familiar African-American spiritual in a fresh rhythmic setting! Opening with just a shaker and unison voices, a tapestry of percussion ostinatos and traditional choral harmony gradually unfolds before returning back to the clean lines of the beginning. Well-planned key changes ensure successful a cappella modulations for less-experienced groups. Three notated percussion parts are included in the publication.

Arranger: Andy Beck

A trio of African percussion instruments lays down an ostinato groove in this otherwise a cappella arrangement of the authentic folk song from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Expert arranger Victor Johnson sets up an assortment of accessible melodic and harmonic patterns that weave throughout, creating a wealth of fun-to-sing choral textures. Not to be missed!

Composer: Traditional

Some history: this song comes from Haiti, but actually refers to the first King of Angola, Ngolo Kiluanje, who was revered as a great king. The Creole word for "king" ("wa") plus the king's name ("Ngolo") became "Wangolo." It's an authentic folk song recalling the peace and prosperity the Angolan people enjoyed before colonization. This rhythmic rendition, which may be performed without piano if desired, includes optional body percussion, suggested parts for djembe and other instruments, optional solos in the call and response section, plus a final descant that tops off the triadic parallel harmonies. Check out the free online ChoreoTrax video for some creative riser choreography.

Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray