In this song of despair and hope, the words inspire the music. Behind a soulful, plaintive solo, the accompaniment starts very sparse but gradually thickens into rich and flowing harmonies with a surprise Dorian flavor at just the right moments. The third verse builds into a triumphant maestoso at “I’m goin’ there to see my savior.” But the final phrases remind us that we are not there yet, and there is a long way to go. Even so, the piece ends on a hopeful note.

I originally arranged this for choir and was later commissioned by the Intrepid Brass to adapt it for solo trombone and brass quintet. The video below is the world premiere, featuring Italian trombonist Peter Steiner.