CANTUS: Steal Away arr. Stacey V. Gibbs

Installment number three from Cantus’ COVID-19 Sessions recorded live on March 17, 19, and 20.

We programmed Stacey V. Gibbs' arrangement of “Steal Away” for our 2020 spring show, which had focused on journeys by sea. It was part of a set highlighting the forced travel of Africans in slave ships to the United States and their realities after arrival.

Many of us have been moved in our lives by the deep emotionality of traditional spirituals. Some of the richest and most compelling art is borne out of real human tragedy and suffering. Although we at Cantus cannot truly empathize with the enslaved person’s experience, we are grateful to be able to share this beautiful music and remember this terrible history.

From Mr. Gibbs' program notes:

This coded spiritual depicts the trials of slaves while simultaneously communicating opportunities to escape bondage and persecution. It was also a song of hope sung in the working fields and worship services of the oppressed as they longed for freedom and heaven.

"I ain’t got long to stay here,
When my work down here is done an’ my race down here is run,
Then I’ll steal away home.

Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus.
Steal away, steal away home.
I ain’t got long to stay here.

My Lord, he calls me, he calls me by the thunder.
The trumpet sounds within-a my soul.
I ain’t got long to stay here."

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“Steal Away,” Traditional Spiritual, arranged by Stacey V. Gibbs. Copyright 2018 by HAL LEONARD LLC. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.

[rocker]

I'm graduating high school this year, I'm kind of jealous that the younger classes will sing this but I know they'll do this piece justice and make it beautiful

[jospwr]

So nice to hear that full bass throughout & the tenor sweetly holding 'here' for a full 16 seconds and finishing with the delicate vibrato near the end is transcendent. Thank you for this series & particularly for this sublime performance.

[danielwalden]

I was a member of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club when we commissioned this piece! I'm so thrilled to see and hear Cantus doing this piece: I've admired you guys since I was in middle school. Thanks so much for connecting me back to one of the most wonderful choral experiences of my life.

[racquelnickson]

I have a treble voice, but this piece sounds so incredible that I'm a little jealous that I can't perform this. Well done!

[rmandba]

Honoring those who went through “Door of No Return”. Thanks

[schmuelsonsradang]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm breathless, this is just so amazingly creative and beautiful. If this is already breathtaking, imagine having to listen angels sing this choir in heave when we get there ❤❤❤❤❤

[YohanesPangaribuan]

my first time singing this song is when i was still in high school choir. this song is one of our concert's playlist, the only choir concert i've ever contributed to. to hear this song again today makes me feel really nostalgic :')

[chaaaaaaaance]

i remember the tenor bass choir for my 8th grade region concert (soprano 2 here :D) sang a different arrangement of this song and it was amazing! now this year for TMEA they are singing this arrangement and i’m kinda jealous. amazing performance!

[jadinblanchard]

i love y’all’s performance of this piece, stunning to say the least.
This piece is a TMEA All State piece for the 2022-2023 year and to say the least i am jealous i don’t get to compete as i am graduating 😔, have fun TB singers.

[mrbigg]

Such good blending and those low notes were so rich 🎶💯

[giannifazio]

Meravigliosa interpretazione .un assieme vocale compatto ed uniforme.suono bilanciato ed equilibrato morbido nei bassi come negli acuti. Davvero emozionanti sia negli accordi pieni che nei pianissimi..grandi dinamiche ed intensità.. e notevole musicalità.. bravissimi.. complimenti a tutti

[Antilles]

Such a powerful performance! And amazing how you're all locked in rhythmically, even with the ritardandos, a tempos, and accelerandos!

[tammyhaley-adams]

Omg. This has me in tears. So beautiful.

[ethanforeman]

This piece was so much fun to sing at all region and the pre area pieces look like they’ll be a blast I cannot wait sadly after this year we’ll be loosing our best three basses

[steventeele]

Sang this amazing spiritual in Prairie Bible Institute Men of Song 1972-1973

[PyritesFoolsGold]

Had to do this for my Region Concert, sucks that they cancelled the piece last minute for tryouts, but like I said, I’m very glad that I preformed this in the region concert. What a true masterpiece

[gnotes]

Beautiful arrangement! Thrills the soul.

[steventeele]

Excellent presentation, loved the harmony

[DaveMcKeownMusic]

Very very beautiful... pleasure to watch the physical communication between you guys too

[今日も元気で陽気なトモクン]

THANK YOU for your Songs.
thanks so much!