Here is the list of songs for Tuesday’s rehearsal (in no particular order):
- Happy Days
- Brother Can You Spare a Dime
- Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)
- Beautiful Savior
- Shenandoah
- Homeward Bound
- Tag – Last Night Was The End of The World
Note on “Homeward Bound”
This song is a recent addition to our repertoire, so a little background might be helpful.
Homeward Bound was originally one of the most popular and widely performed contemporary choral pieces of all time. Heartfelt and elegant in its simplicity, it’s touched thousands of musicians and their audiences with its warmth and sincerity, and has become the anthem for many soldiers returning home from foreign wars.
The composer and lyricist Marta Keen wrote: “I wrote this song for a loved one who was embarking upon a new phase of life’s journey, to express the soul’s yearning to grow and change. It was premiered by a Seattle Irish tenor, but soon after was beautifully arranged by Jay Althouse and published by Alfred Music. It has been performed by choirs of all ages throughout the English-speaking world and many Asian countries. In 2004 this song appeared in the video tribute to our American troops titled Until Then by Todd Clegg. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir recorded a spectacular arrangement by Dr. Mack Wilberg on their CD Love Is Spoken Here. I continue to be delighted at the wide range of performances and interpretations of this song, which now truly seems to have a life of its own.”
The lyrics speak of both the longing for travel and adventure and the comforts of returning home:
Bind me not to the pasture
Chain me not to the plow
Set me free to find my calling
And I’ll return to you somehow
For the complete lyrics, click on the link below.
https://genius.com/Marta-keen-homeward-bound-lyrics