Deep Like the Rivers

Season 2007-2008
Performance Date February 17, 2008
Performance Year 2008
Performance Time 4:00PM
Additional Performances 2/24
Location 2/17 Ordway Center for the Performing Arts; 2/24 Hopkins High School Auditorium
Performance Title WITNESS: The Duke Ellington Effect
Composer William Banfield
Country USA
Year Composed 2008
Timing 4min 0sec
Performers

VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers; Dennis Spears, soloist; Sanford Moore, pianist; Tom Keith, sound effects
Text Translation

I’ve known rivers:
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world
and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were Young!
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy
bottom turn all golden in the sunset.

I’ve known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
—Langston Hughes
Categories WITNESS Repertoire

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