From a Seed in the Ground
The book
2010. Arranged by Peter Amidon
This is Peter's first published collection of children's choir arrangements, ranging from a simple a cappella grace (this is actually an original composition first composed for the Stearns/Amidon musical "Truth") to a playful, through composed 5-page arrangement for piano and treble voices of Connie Kaldor's marvelous song "From the Seed in the Ground.
Book: $15
Table of Contents
Acres Grace
Simple one-page a cappella grace, words and music originally composed by Peter Amidon for the Stearns/Amidon musical "Truth".
lyrics
We thank you for this food we share,
These gifts we’ve gathered from the field;
Grains, fruits and greens sustain us here;
This boun-ty nature yields.
Your blessings shower down on us below,
May we use them well;
And when our days on earth are past,
Back in your arms we’ll dwell.
How Could Anyone
Peter's three-part a cappella arrangement of Libby Roderick's classic gem. Peter originally published this for SAB in Beatitudes - Amidon
Choral Arrangements. It is raised up a bit to SSA for this collection.
lyrics
Go to link below and scroll down.
http://www.libbyroderick.com/cd_new.html
From the Seed in the Ground
This is the most sophisticated and playful arrangement in the collection, for piano and treble voices, sometimes unison, two parts,
three parts, and briefly in four part harmony, of one of the most wonderful songs Mary Alice and I have learned in the last few years by
Canadian singer/songwriter Connie Kaldor: http://www.conniekaldor.com/
lyrics
by Connie Kaldor
If you've got the sun, and if you've got the rain,
And you plant a little seed in the old back lane,
And you wish, and you hope,
And you keep the weeds down,
You might find, oh,
You might find,
A root growing down
From the seed in the ground.
This is a cumulative song;
the fifth and last verse ends with:
...you might find, oh,
You might find,
a seed growing out from the flower
From the stem, from the shoot,
From the root, from the seed in the ground.
Sylvie
I think this is a traditional American song, possibly African American in origin, that was sung by Lead Belly amongst others. It is arranged for piano and unison and two-part treble voices.
lyrics
Bring me little water Sylvie,
Bring me little water now,
Bring me little water Sylvie,
Every little once in a while.
Can't you hear me calling you,
Can't you hear me now,
I need a little bit of water,
Every little once in a while.
Put it in a bucket Sylvie,
Put it in a bucket now,
Put it in a bucket Sylvie,
Every little once in a while.
Sylvie come a runnin'
Bucket in her hand,
I will bring you water,
Fast as I can.
To Bethelehem
This is a beautiful Christmas nativity carol by Nym Cooke http://www.angelfire.com/music5/nym_cooke/
(Nym's beautiful SATB arrangement is in his collection "Awake to Joy") re-arranged by Peter for 3-part treble chorus and piano.
lyrics
Shepherds on the mountain-side could not hide
From the fire that filled the mid-night heavens;
Bands of angels bending low bade them go,
And thus the news was given.
From afar called the star,
Bidding all to come and see the baby.
From afar called the star,
Bidding all to come and see the baby.
Tiny infant in the hay sleeping lay,
While the light of angels shone upon him;
Kings and shepherds gathered round,
Knelt on ground and laid their gifts before him.
Parting Friend
We found this in John G. McCurry's 1853 collection "The Social Harp". Our two-part arrangement is inspired by the "Social Harp" three-part arrangement, and by the stark and independent harmonizations of the early American singing school/shape note composers. Peter and his wife Mary Alice Amidon (then a pre-marriage Mary Alice Copeland)
recorded this in alto/tenor range on the classic 1978 Nonesuch recording "Rivers of Delight - American Folk Hymns from the Sacred Harp Tradition" (listen to a sample at:
http://www.amazon.com/Parting-Friends-LP-Version/dp/B00122Q1AI/ref=dm_ap_trk16
lyrics
Farewell my friend, I'm bound for Canaan;
I'm traveling through the wilderness.
Your company has been delightful;
You who doth leave my mind distressed.
I go away behind to leave you;
Perhaps never to meet again.
But if we never have the pleasure;
I hope we'll meet on Canaan's land.