Composer

:

Hall Johnson

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:02

'Ain't Got Time to Die' is a spiritual song composed by Hall Johnson, an African-American composer, arranger, and choral director. The song was composed in the early 20th century, and it premiered in 1937 as part of Johnson's "Hall Johnson Choir" concert series. The song is a classic example of African-American spiritual music, which was a genre of music that emerged from the African-American community during the era of slavery in the United States. Spirituals were often sung by slaves as a way to express their faith and hope for freedom, and they were characterized by their powerful lyrics, call-and-response structure, and use of improvisation. 'Ain't Got Time to Die' is a four-movement piece that features a soloist and a choir. The first movement is a slow, mournful introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The second movement is a lively, upbeat section that features the soloist and choir singing in call-and-response style. The third movement is a slower, more contemplative section that features the soloist singing a mournful melody while the choir provides a rich harmonic background. The final movement is a triumphant, joyful section that features the soloist and choir singing in unison, celebrating the victory over death. The song's lyrics are a powerful expression of faith and hope in the face of adversity. The opening lines of the song, "Ain't got time to die, 'cause I'm too busy livin'," express the idea that life is too precious to waste on fear or despair. The song goes on to describe the struggles and hardships of life, but it always returns to the theme of hope and perseverance. Overall, 'Ain't Got Time to Die' is a powerful and moving piece of music that captures the spirit of African-American spirituals. Its combination of powerful lyrics, call-and-response structure, and use of improvisation make it a classic example of this important genre of music.

More....