AMEN (Spiritual)

Composer (refrain): B. H. Hogan

Rev. Broadus Henry Hogan Go to person page >

Composer (refrain): Laura B. Davis

Laura Belle Davis. Born 20 Oct. 1909 in Indianapolis, daughter of William Scott Davis and Clara Montague. Go to person page >

Composer (verse): Jester Hairston

(no biographical information available about Jester Hairston.) Go to person page >

Tune Information

Title: AMEN (Spiritual)
Composer (refrain): B. H. Hogan
Composer (refrain): Laura B. Davis
Composer (verse): Jester Hairston
Meter: Irregular
Incipit: 16513 21354 35432
Key: F Major
Source: African-American
Copyright: Harm. © 1990 Westminster / John Knox Press;Public Domain

Notes

The traditional call-and-response structure calls for a soloist on the text, with everyone singing the ostinato pattern of "Amens," either in unison or harmony. The soloist may apply rhythmic and melodic freedom to the lines. If possible, sing unaccompanied, or use piano, guitars, and/or string bass for accompaniment rather than organ. Everyone but the soloist should sing without a book in front of them!

The arrangement is by Richard Smallwood (b. Washington, D.C., 1948), a composer, arranger, pianist, and innovator in the African American gospel style. Many of his arrangements of gospel hymns appear in Lift Every Voice and Sing (1981). Organized by Smallwood in 1967, the Richard Smallwood Singers have sung and recorded many of his arrangements. He remains their current director. Smallwood has a B.M. degree from Howard University, Washington, DC.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1987

Timeline

Arrangements

Organ Solo

  • Encore: 50 of Fred Bock's Greatest Gospel Arrangements for Organ
    Composer/Editor Fred Bock
    Published By: Fred Bock Music Company (1984) pp. 158
  • The Pick-Up Organ Book
    Composer/Editors Geoffrey R. Lorenz; Gabriel Urbain Fauré
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1983) pp. 51
  • The Hymnlet: A Choice Collection of Hymns and Hymntunes from 17th, 18th, & 19th Century American Hymnals, Songbooks and Psalters
    Composer/Editor Samuel Walter
    Published By: The Organ Historical Society, Inc. (1976) pp. 31
  • The Organist Volume 79 Number 4 September 1975: A Bi-monthly Magazine for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Roger C. Wilson; Gabriel Urbain Fauré
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1975) pp. 13
  • The Organist Volume 75 Number 3 July 1971: A Bi-Monthly Publication for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Roger C. Wilson; Robert Ramsey
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1971) pp. 59
  • Lorenz's Organ Album Volume 53: Three-Staff Voluntaries for the Church Organ
    Composer/Editor Johannes Brahms
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1970) pp. 11
  • The Organ Portfolio Volume 33 Number 3 February 1970: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Lani Smith; Johannes Brahms
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1970) pp. 11

Piano Solo

  • The Essential Collection for the Church Pianist II: 55 Timeless Classics
    Composer/Editors Jane Holstein; Jack Schrader
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (2016) pp. 32
  • Great Things He Has Done: 10 Sacred Arrangements in a Variety of Styles
    Composer/Editor Victor Labenske
    Published By: Alfred Music Publishing Company, Inc. (2003) pp. 50
  • Just Hooked by Gospel: Keyboard Folio
    Composer/Editors Don Wyrtzen; Carol McMillen
    Published By: Singspiration Music, Inc. (1984) pp. 36
  • Spirituals at the Piano: Beloved Melodies Arranged by Peggy Tolson
    Composer/Editor Peggy Tolson
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1969) pp. 2

Piano and Organ Duet

  • More Keyboard Duets: For Organ and Piano
    Composer/Editor Fred Bock
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1974) pp. 29

Piano Duet+: Piano Duet One Piano

  • Sacred Music for Piano Duet
    Composer/Editor Robert D. Vandall
    Published By: Myklas Music Press (1990) pp. 8
  • Piano Duets at One Keyboard
    Composer/Editor Tedd Smith
    Published By: Singspiration Music, Inc. (1975) pp. 25

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Worship and Rejoice #249
Text: Amen, Amen
Worship and Rejoice #746
Text: Amen
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Instances

Instances (1 - 28 of 28)
Text

African American Heritage Hymnal #649

TextPage Scan

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #172

Bible Songs on Timeless Themes #29

Cáliz de Bendiciones #393

Text

Celebremos Su Gloria #651

Text

Chalice Hymnal #317

TextFlexScoreAudioPage Scan

Glory to God #600

Text

Lift Every Voice and Sing II #233

Mil Voces para Celebrar #393

Text

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #294

Praise! Our Songs and Hymns #207

Text InfoTune InfoTextAudio

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #365

Text

Sing With Me #88

Text

Songs of Zion #147

Page Scan

The Covenant Hymnal #208

Text

The Faith We Sing #2072

The New Century Hymnal #161

TextPage Scan

The Presbyterian Hymnal #299

Text

The Presbyterian Hymnal #587

Text

Total Praise #636

TextAudio

TTT-Himnaro Cigneta #26

TextAudio

TTT-Himnaro Cigneta #27

Text

Voices Together #689

TextAudio

With Heart and Voice #87

TextScoreAudioPage Scan

Worship and Rejoice #249

TextAudioPage Scan

Worship and Rejoice #746

Text

Worship in Song #101

찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship #173

Include 4 pre-1979 instances
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