Composer

:

Edward Joseph Collins

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1940

Average_duration

:

2:16

'Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?' is a traditional African American spiritual song that has been arranged and adapted by many composers over the years. One of the most famous arrangements was composed by Edward Joseph Collins, an American composer and arranger who lived from 1886 to 1951. Collins' arrangement of 'Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?' was composed in the early 20th century, although the exact date is unknown. It was first performed by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a renowned African American choral group, and has since become a staple of the choral repertoire. The piece is typically performed in four movements, although some arrangements may have additional sections. The first movement features a soloist singing the opening lines of the song, "Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel, deliver Daniel, deliver Daniel? Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel, and why not every man?" This is followed by a choral response, with the choir repeating the question "and why not every man?" The second movement features a call-and-response section, with the soloist and choir alternating lines. The third movement is a slower, more contemplative section, with the soloist singing "He delivered Daniel from the lion's den, Jonah from the belly of the whale, and the Hebrew children from the fiery furnace, and why not every man?" The final movement is a rousing, upbeat section, with the choir and soloist singing together and building to a climactic finish. One of the characteristics of Collins' arrangement is its use of traditional African American musical elements, such as call-and-response and syncopated rhythms. The piece also features a mix of solo and choral sections, allowing for a range of vocal textures and dynamics. The lyrics of the song, which tell the story of Daniel's deliverance from the lion's den and other biblical stories, are a powerful expression of faith and hope in the face of adversity. Overall, 'Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?' is a beloved spiritual that has been performed and recorded by countless artists over the years. Collins' arrangement is a particularly notable version, showcasing his skill as a composer and arranger and capturing the spirit and energy of the song.

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