Composer

:

Hall Johnson

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:51

"Po' Mo'ner Got a Home at Las'" is a spiritual composed by Hall Johnson in the early 20th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written in the 1920s or 1930s. The piece was first performed by Johnson's choir, the Hall Johnson Negro Choir, and later became a popular piece in the repertoire of many other choirs. The premiere of "Po' Mo'ner Got a Home at Las'" is also unknown, but it is likely that it was first performed by the Hall Johnson Negro Choir in one of their concerts or recordings. The piece has since been performed by many other choirs and has become a staple in the repertoire of African American spirituals. "Po' Mo'ner Got a Home at Las'" is a three-movement piece that features a call-and-response structure and a lively rhythm. The first movement begins with a soloist singing the opening line, "Po' Mo'ner got a home at las'," followed by the choir responding with "Po' Mo'ner got a home at las'." This call-and-response structure is repeated throughout the piece, with the soloist and choir alternating lines. The second movement features a slower, more contemplative melody, with the soloist singing, "I'm goin' to lay down my heavy load." The choir responds with "I'm goin' to lay down my heavy load," and the soloist continues with "I'm goin' to rest my weary soul." The choir responds with "I'm goin' to rest my weary soul," and the movement ends with the soloist singing, "I'm goin' to lay down my heavy load." The third movement returns to the lively rhythm of the first movement, with the soloist singing, "I'm goin' to shout and sing," and the choir responding with "I'm goin' to shout and sing." The piece ends with the soloist and choir repeating the call-and-response structure, with the soloist singing, "Po' Mo'ner got a home at las'," and the choir responding with "Po' Mo'ner got a home at las'." "Po' Mo'ner Got a Home at Las'" is characteristic of Johnson's style, which often featured call-and-response structures and lively rhythms. The piece is also notable for its use of African American vernacular language, which was a common feature of spirituals. Overall, "Po' Mo'ner Got a Home at Las'" is a powerful and uplifting piece that celebrates the hope and faith of African American communities.

More....