Harps And Wheels (with "Little David, Play On Your Harp" and "Ezekiel Saw The Wheel"): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Martin pairs two beloved spirituals into a single arrangement that gives your singers meaningful material without requiring a large ensemble or complex voicing. The 2-part texture makes this accessible for developing choirs while the spiritual foundation carries genuine emotional weight that engages both performers and audiences.

The piece unfolds with the quiet confidence of spiritual tradition. Both melodies carry the warmth and resilience these songs are known for, creating moments of intimate reflection alongside passages of gentle strength.

This arrangement works for middle school through adult choirs seeking sacred repertoire that connects to American musical tradition. The 2-part voicing makes it especially valuable when you're building ensemble skills or programming for groups with limited resources.

• Balance the two melodic lines so neither dominates; each spiritual has its own character and deserves equal presence in the overall sound.
• Work the text naturally with your singers, allowing the lyrical phrases of the spirituals to breathe rather than rushing through them.
• Let the contrast between the two songs become a structural feature of your performance; emphasize what makes each one distinct before weaving them together.

Consider this for a concert section devoted to American spirituals or as part of a service of worship. It pairs well in a program with other choral works exploring faith and cultural heritage, and the accessible voicing allows you to program it at various points in the concert without staging concerns.

• Singing two independent melodic lines while maintaining blend
• Text expression in the spiritual tradition
• Awareness of cultural and historical context in American sacred music
• Breath management across longer phrases