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Dem Bones

Music by James Weldon Johnson

"Dem Bones" (also called "Dry Bones" and "Dem Dry Bones") is a spiritual song. The melody was composed by author and songwriter James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) and his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. First recorded by The Famous Myers Jubilee Singers in 1928. Both a long and a shortened version of the song are widely known. The lyrics are inspired by Ezekiel 37:1-14, where the prophet Ezekiel visits the "Valley of Dry Bones" and prophesies that they will one day be resurrected at God's command, picturing the realization of the New Jerusalem.

    Release Date: 1928


Various Arrangers : Spirituals for Mixed Voices Vol 2 : SATB : Sheet Music Collection

Various Arrangers : Spirituals for Mixed Voices Vol 2

'Working with Joy' is a Jubilant Spiritual. It starts out with the men singing unison and the women accompanying them with soaring 3-part harmony, by the time it splits into 5-part harmony the piece really takes off, adding clapping to the mix, this is a fun tune! 'Dem Bones' is a fun, yet sometimes somber spiritual. Your choir will get a kick out of this song when they realize that this song is where that fun song 'the knee bone connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone connected to the hip bone' came from (almost everyone sang that growing up!). 'Good Christian People Rejoice' is a beautiful tune with gorgeous harmony and lots of divisi parts, your choir is sure to be challenged and excited when singing this wonderful piece. 'Hold me, Rock Me' is another fun and challenging piece. It starts by bringing voices in one at a time, when all voices are finally singing together the sopranos take over the melody and the rest of the voices sing beautiful vocal accompanyment, immitating arpeggiated chords. Throughout the song the solo moves from one voice to the other, making it a great opportunity for all voice parts to shine. The composer of 'Home in d'Rock' suggests the feeling of this piece should be quite loose, as suggested by the shuffle groove set up by the djembe (although te song may still be performed a cappella). The song calls for more of a Folk/R&B style of singing than a classical style.

Songlist: Dem Bones, Working With Joy, Good Christian People, Rejoice, Hold Me, Rock Me, Home In D'Rock

More details
Voicing: SATB | 9547b | Sheet Music Collection | $12.50 | A Cappella


Individual Folios

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Dem Bones : SATB : Larry Nickel : James Weldon Johnson : Sheet Music Collection : 08301764 : 884088058494

Larry Nickel : Dem Bones

The familiar portions of this spiritual dance delightfully and are surrounded by meaningful choral statements, especially the ending Breathe On Me Breath of God.

Arranger: Larry Nickel | Composer: James Weldon Johnson

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.15 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08301764

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