When The Angels Call Me Home

by Mike Wilson

It is never too early to teach social consciousness. It has been said that the best investment we can make is the one we make in others. This song, in a hymn-like setting, is intended to encourage thought and discussion about our personal, individual social responsibility. Will our lives have made a difference when it's all over?

With an early American flavor, the orchestration includes piano, acoustic bass, guitar, penny whistle, and strings. It has a 3-part vocal arrangement all written in the treble clef. Part 2 enters with the pick-up to verse two. Part 3 begins with pick-ups to measure 17, which is the bridge. It remains 3-part to the end. In the key of C, only part 2 ventures beyond the range of C to C' with one high D. Of course, parts 2 and 3 are optional, and arrangement. We have provided a demo of this on the recording (track 33). You could also do it with just parts 1 and 2.

The melody line lends itself to some natural dynamics. For example, though not indicated, a crescendo and decrescendo could occur in measures 9 through 12 and again in measures 21 through 24. And the song calls for a choral, yet passionate approach.

For your convenience, we have created web mixes of part 2 and part 3, as well as an alternate full version (all three parts) with piano accompaniment only. Please avail yourself to these helpful tools.

Text is taken from Music K-8 magazine.