I know de Lord’s Laid His Hands on Me | Michael Tippett, arr. Lawrence Brown

A traditional African American spiritual, this hymn was published in The Second Book of Negro Spirituals, compiled by James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamund Johnson (1926). Like many spirituals, "Oh, I Know the Lord" was written for responsorial singing. The entire group sings the refrains, and a soloist sings the stanzas with melodic and rhythmic freedom. (The soloist's melody descends like the Lord reaching down his hands!) Sing either unaccompanied (perhaps with an E-flat drone humming during the soloist's lines) or with minimal keyboard accompaniment.
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Here is my interpretation of this powerful song.
Amaro Dubois, viola
Tingting Yao, piano

Listen more by streaming my latest album, "Luz," by PARMA Recording & Navona Records, distributed by NAXOS USA.
https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog...

For more information, recitals calendar, and reviews, access the website below:
amarodubois.com

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Lyrics:

Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,
I know the Lord has laid His hands on me.
Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,
I know the Lord has laid His hands on me.

1 Did ever you see the like before?
I know the Lord has laid His hands on me,
King Jesus preaching to the poor.
I know the Lord has laid His hands on me.[Refrain]

2 Oh, wasn't that a happy day
I know the Lord has laid His hands on me,
When Jesus washed my sins away?
I know the Lord has laid His hands on me.[Refrain]

3 Some seek the Lord and don't seek Him right,
I know the Lord's laid His hands on me,
They fool all day and pray at night.
I know the Lord has laid His hands on me. [Refrain]

4 My Lord has done just what He said,
I know the Lord has laid His hands on me,
He's healed the sick and raised the dead.
I know the Lord has laid His hands on me.[Refrain]