Composer

:

Harry (Henry) Thacker Burleigh

Genre

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Miscellaneous

Style

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Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

2:28

"By an' by" is a spiritual composed by Harry (Henry) Thacker Burleigh, an African American composer, arranger, and singer. The piece was composed in the early 20th century and premiered in 1919. It is a part of the African American spiritual tradition, which is a genre of music that originated from the African American community during the era of slavery in the United States. "By an' by" is a four-movement piece that features a call-and-response structure, which is a common characteristic of spirituals. The first movement begins with a solo voice singing the opening line, "We are soldiers in the army," followed by a chorus response, "We have to fight, although we have to cry." The second movement features a solo voice singing, "I'm gonna lay down my burden," followed by a chorus response, "Down by the riverside." The third movement features a solo voice singing, "I'm gonna put on my long white robe," followed by a chorus response, "Shout, shout, shout." The final movement features a solo voice singing, "I'm gonna meet my mother in the promised land," followed by a chorus response, "By an' by." The piece is characterized by its use of syncopation, which is a rhythmic technique that emphasizes the off-beat. This technique is commonly used in African American music and is a defining characteristic of the spiritual genre. The piece also features a call-and-response structure, which is a common characteristic of spirituals. This structure is used to create a sense of community and participation among the singers and listeners. Overall, "By an' by" is a powerful and emotional piece that reflects the struggles and triumphs of the African American community. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit and continues to be a beloved piece in the African American spiritual tradition.

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