Article "De Gospel Train ('Git on bo'd lit'l children')" by Harry Thacker Burleigh

De Gospel Train, 1921, by Harry Thacker Burleigh, 1866-1949.

De Gospel Train ("Git on bo'd lit'l children"), 1921. Harry Thacker Burleigh, 1866-1949. Music Division, Library of Congress. Call number: M1671.G

Burleigh's setting of De Gospel Train has its roots in several sources, but most likely originated from the Bahamian spiritual Get on Board. A revival song featuring a pentatonic melody, De Gospel Train is one of several African-American spirituals that became closely associated with the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad. Burleigh's arrangement was published in 1921 in separate versions for solo voice and men's chorus by G. Ricordi & Co., New York. A version for mixed chorus appeared in 1927.

Burleigh's setting is an upbeat, highly rhythmic work with several harmonic surprises. His TTBB arrangement is punctuated by inspired moments of train imagery, most notably in the "chu chuck-a, chu chuck-a" sound effects of the second verse and the tenors' falsetto "toot, toot." The tenors sing a perfect fourth, F-sharp–B, against a tonic B-flat-major chord.

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Title

"De Gospel Train ('Git on bo'd lit'l children')" by Harry Thacker Burleigh

Headings

- Burleigh, H. T. (Harry Thacker), 1866-1949
- Worship and Praise
- Songs and Music
- Parlor and Concert Stage
- Traditional and Ethnic Songs and Music
- Progressive Era to New Era (1900-1929)
- Articles

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article

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