I Said My Pajamas (And Put On My Pray'rs): SAB Choral Octavo
I Said My Pajamas (And Put On My Pray'rs) Sheet Music Preview

I Said My Pajamas (And Put On My Pray'rs): SAB Choral Octavo

Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS00262539
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$2.99
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 11
SKU: 35-DS00262539

More about this title

About the Arranger: Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw

Kirby Shaw's influence extends across continents, from his teaching in 45 states to international clinics in Canada, Australia, Sweden, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Germany. His formal training in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University, combined with a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, grounds his work in both pedagogical rigor and artistic vision. He founded and directed the acclaimed COS Vocal Jazz Ensemble at College of the Siskiyous and has led similar programs at Colorado State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where his teaching style became known for infusing deep musical knowledge with infectious humor.

As a prolific composer and arranger with over 2500 works in print and nearly 20 million copies sold worldwide, Shaw has established himself as a major voice in choral music. He has worked one-on-one with vocal legends including Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Al Jarreau, and Jon Hendricks, and remains active as a member of Just 4 Kicks, a four-man a cappella jazz ensemble. His contributions have earned multiple ASCAP awards, and his recent commission from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir reflects his continued relevance in the field. Shaw currently directs the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University while continuing to create arrangements performed in choirs worldwide.

Why we love this

Shaw delivers an arrangement that feels contemporary without sacrificing the song's warmth and accessibility. The SAB voicing keeps parts manageable while maintaining genuine harmonic interest, and the text's playful contradiction between preparing for sleep and preparing for prayer gives singers something to engage with beyond just notes. This is the kind of piece that generates smiles in rehearsal and connects authentically with audiences.

What to expect

There's a gentle comedy in the premise that sets the emotional tone. The arrangement captures that bedtime quiet and contemplative mood while keeping things light and never precious, with harmonic color that feels contemporary but rooted in traditional choral writing.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced SAB choirs looking for concert material with both substance and charm. This works equally well for festival programs, community concerts, or any setting where you want a piece that's musically satisfying without being unnecessarily complex.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the upper voices carefully so the melody in the first sopranos doesn't overwhelm the countermelodies Shaw has given the second part. The arrangement only works when all three lines have weight.
  • Let the text inform your phrasing. The innocence of "pajamas" and "pray'rs" should shape how you approach dynamics and articulation, keeping things conversational rather than overly formal.
  • Consider the recorded accompaniment a reference tool for learning parts, but don't rely on it for performance tempo decisions. This tune benefits from flexibility and space for your choir's personality to emerge.

How to use it

Pair this with other Shaw arrangements or selections from your secular concert repertoire to build a program that showcases the range of your ensemble. It works beautifully as a closer on a winter concert or as an accessible opening piece that immediately puts audiences at ease and demonstrates your choir's ability to connect with words and ideas.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing three independent melodic lines within a cohesive harmonic texture
  • Maintaining clear diction while executing sustained vowels across multiple parts
  • Interpreting text to shape musical interpretation and emotional delivery
  • Reading SAB score layout and tracking parts across pages in an 11-page octavo

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