Alliance Music has recently published an arrangement by Thomas Sheets of the early 20th century gospel hymn “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus” for unaccompanied SATB chorus and alto solo. The piece is an excellent general anthem; the tone of it would also make it well-suited to any of the first five Sundays of Lent.
The first of the three verses is a straightforward setting of this touching, soulful tune for four-part chorus in the key of G. The second verse is arranged for TTB (or TBB) and alto solo in the related key of E flat, and is somewhat more complex harmonically. The last verse, in the key of A flat, is the emotional high point of the composition, and the piece ends with tight harmonies.
To hear the complete work, go to alliancemusic.com; in the Search Catalog box, select “Go to catalog;” under “Composer/arranger last name” enter Sheets; then click on the catalog number, AMP 0823, to hear the recording.
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