Piano Sheets > Wallace Willis Sheet Music > Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (ver. 2) Piano Sheet

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (ver. 2) by Wallace Willis - Piano Sheets and Free Sheet Music

  
About the Song
   Other avaliable versions of this music sheet: Version 1  Version 2  
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a Negro spiritual. The first recording was by the Fisk Jubilee Singers in 1909. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored the song as one of 50 recordings chosen that year to be added to the National Recording Registry. It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" was composed by Wallis Willis, a Choctaw freedman in the old Indian Territory, sometime before 1862. He was inspired by the Red River which reminded him of the Jordan River and of the Prophet Elijah being taken to heaven by a chariot. Many non-scholarly sources (see Songs of the underground railroad) claim that this song and "Steal Away"—also composed by Willis—had hidden lyrics referring to the Underground Railroad. Alexander Reid, a minister at a Choctaw boarding.    Download this sheet!
About the Artist
Uncle Wallace Willis (sometimes Wallis Willis) was a Choctaw freedman living in the Indian Territory. He is credited with composing several Negro spirituals. Willis received his name from his owner, Britt Willis, probably in Mississippi, the ancestral home of the Choctaws. He died, probably in what is now Atoka County, Oklahoma, as his unmarked grave is located there. Prior to the Civil War, Willis and his wife, Aunt Minerva, were sent by their owner to work at the Spencer Academy where the superintendent, Reverend Alexander Reid, heard them singing. In 1871 Reid was at a performance of the Jubilee Singers and thought the songs he had heard the Willises singing were better than those of the Jubilee Singers. He furnished them to the group which performed them in the United States and Europe. Many are now famous. It is said that Dvořák used the melody of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" in his "New World Symphony". The tune was also recorded by Eric Clapton, and is a popular song with supporters of the England rugby union team. It is sometimes claimed that the composer of the songs credited to Willis is unknown, but no record exists of any of them.
Click here if the video doesn't work
Random article
The joy of reading piano notes Music is said to be the best medicine developed by nature. The thought and feel is said to have the power to bring back the dead. While playing music gives you the joy you just cannot contain, same is the case with reading piano music sheets. After all, it is sheet music which tells you exactly how to play that favorite tune of yours. Many feel that reading piano music sheets is an ardent task. Well, this is exactly where are all wrong. It is certainly not the case that one glance and you will understand what is written in that sheet music. But it is certainly not as difficult as expected! Sheet Music is the language of expressing music in a readable form. And just like to learn a new language you need dedication and perseverance, same is the case with  (More...)