Description
Go Down, Moses is the sixth installment in my Contemplative Spirituals series. The arrangement begins mysteriously and with the chorus theme played simply in the bass. The verse, in hymn format, follows. The second section switches to 12/8 with the left had indicative of turmoil, roiling anger and discontent. The melody returns but with frequent clashes with added major 7ths, meant to show the clash between the oppressors and oppressed. The demands grow more fervent and turbulent until reaching a resigned end. The coda brings back the melody of the verse at a much slower tempo with a wistful ending that questions whether salvation is ever coming.