Howard Swanson: The Negro Speaks of Rivers

Bass-baritone Nicholas Newton, pianist Blair Salter, and dancer Kayla Collymore conjure a deep sense of imagery and experience with this Langston Hughes text, set masterfully by Howard Swanson.
The Negro Speaks of Rivers
I’ve known rivers:
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
I’ve known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

[@thescatologistcopromancer3936]

I got chills and it's not just the alcohol withdrawals

[@shr3dbeard]

Amazing performance from everybody, I'm so glad I learned recently of the great composer Howard Swanson. Beautiful and deep interpretation of this song, set to the Langston Hughes poem by the same name. True artistry, and true representation, I'm sure Hughes and Swanson are smiling somewhere!

[@snide76258]

Just spectacular. Thank you for sharing!

[@gloriadeveraux5566]

Wonderful sound, thanks for sharing!

[@ytesr]

Where can I get the sheet music for this great piece?