Best choir songs by Richard Smallwood

Angels (Extended edit)

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

"Angels, watching over me
Angels, watching over me"

I still get tingles every time I hear this one. Built on a delicious chord progression for the instruments, with beautifully moving verses and a simple but very catchy chorus. The bridge of the song references the old spiritual that was Smallwood's inspiration: "Angels Watchin' Over Me".

Tempo: Slow
Key: E minor

Resource links:

• Lyrics for Angels
• Chords for Angels (NOTE: They don't have the chords for the "All night, all day" section)
• Sheet music for Angels
• There is also an instrumental version of Angels that could possibly be used as an accompaniment track

• For singers: 3 / 5
• For musicians: 4 / 5

Anthem Of Praise ((Psalms 150:3-6, Psalms 34:3))

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

"Praise Him with the timbrel and dance
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet
Praise Him with the psaltery and harp
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord"

This song is BIG in every way, almost symphonic in form. A majestic anthem that's a favorite for concerts. It is especially important that you have tenors who can sing with power if you want to do this song.

Tempo: Moderate
Key: Bb minor

NOTE: "Anthem of Praise" has five vocal parts -- First Soprano, Second Soprano, Alto, First Tenor, and Second Tenor.

Resource links:

• Lyrics for Anthem of Praise
• Chords for Anthem of Praise
• Sheet music for Anthem of Praise
• Instrumental version of Anthem of Praise
• Individual vocal practice tracks for Anthem of Praise from ChoirParts.com:
  • 1st Soprano part
  • 2nd Soprano part
  • Alto part
  • 1st Tenor part
  • 2nd Tenor part

• For singers: 4.5 / 5
• For musicians: 4.5 / 5

Calvary (Album Version)

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

"Surely
He died on Calvary"

A powerful and emotional song with a blues influence. An excellent choice for Good Friday or Easter.

The lead verses are the predominant part of the song, but the choir backup is also well-crafted and very moving.

Tempo: Slow, with a strong beat
Key: G minor, then A minor, then Bb minor

Resource links:

• Lyrics for Calvary
• Chords for Calvary
• Sheet music for Calvary
• CD with accompaniment tracks for Calvary
• Downloadable piano accompaniment track for Calvary
• Individual vocal practice tracks for Calvary from ChoirParts.com:
  • Soprano part
  • Alto part
  • 1st Tenor part
  • 2nd Tenor part

• For singers: 4 / 5
• For musicians: 3 / 5

The Center Of My Joy (Album Version)

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

"Jesus, You're the center of my joy
All that's good and perfect comes from You
You're the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do
Jesus, You're the center of my joy"

Smallwood co-wrote this song with Bill and Gloria Gaither. This love song to God is a favorite of soloists, but the choir part is lovely, too.

Tempo: Slow
Key: Eb

Resource links:

• Lyrics for Center of my Joy
• Chords for Center of my Joy
• Accompaniment track for Center of my Joy

• For singers: 3 / 5
• For musicians: 3 / 5

God Is Worthy

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

"God is worthy
God is worthy
God is worthy to be praised"

A very simple song compared to a lot of Smallwood's work, one that singers and hearers can latch onto easily and naturally. Once you hear it, you never forget it. A great song for Praise & Worship.

Tempo: Moderately slow
Key: C

Resource links:

• Lyrics for God Is Worthy

• For singers: 3 / 5 if you do the harmonies, 1 / 5 otherwise
• For musicians: 3 / 5

Holy, Holy (Album Version)

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

"Holy, holy, Lord God, Almighty
Heaven, and earth are, full of, Thy glory"

A joyful and energetic song, but with a taste of classical influence.

Tempo: Moderately fast
Key: C

Resource links:

• Lyrics for Holy, Holy
• Sheet music for Holy, Holy can be found in Smallwood's Journey Songbook
• Accompaniment track for Holy, Holy

• For singers: 4 / 5
• For musicians: 3.5 / 5

I Love The Lord (Extended edit)

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

"I love the Lord, He heard my cry
And pitied every groan"

Some of the most beautiful harmonies ever. When Richard Smallwood's first album came out, this was the song that really gave us the first impression of who he was as a songwriter.

Soloists love to do this song, but it's SO MUCH more beautiful when it's done by a choir!

Tempo: Slow
Key: C

Resource links:

• Lyrics for I Love the Lord
• Instrumental version of I Love the Lord

• For singers: 3.5 / 5
• For musicians: 3.5 / 5

I Won't Be Troubled

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

"No more weeping, no more wailing
Our troubles will be over down here"

I don't know why this song doesn't get more attention. A beautiful song with a melancholy tone, but a hopeful looking up at the same time.

Tempo: Slow
Key: G minor

I couldn't find any resources online for "I Won't Be Troubled". No lyrics, chord charts, sheet music, nothing. But even if you have to work out the arrangement all on your own, it will be worth it.

Difficulty level:

• For singers: 3 / 5
• For musicians: 3 / 5

Total Praise

Amazon Price: $1.29 (as of 05/30/2012)

"You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to you"

Smallwood's masterpiece. The intricate harmonies, the way he builds the sense of grandeur and strength as the song progresses, and the powerful "Amen" at the end make "Total Praise" an example of songwriting at its best.

Because "Total Praise" is such a significant song in the gospel choir literature, I have another web page with more detailed information about it: A Choir Director's Guide to Total Praise.

Tempo: Slow
Key: Db

Resource links:

• Lyrics for Total Praise
• Chords for Total Praise
• Sheet music for Total Praise
• Instrumental version of Total Praise
• Individual vocal practice tracks for Total Praise from ChoirParts.com:
  • Soprano part
  • Alto part
  • Tenor part

• For singers: 4 / 5
• For musicians: 3.5 / 5

Your Love Divine (Album Version)

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)

"Lord, You know the pain we bear . . .

Send Your direction, send Your protection
Send Your compassion and Your love divine"

A beautiful and heartfelt entreaty. This would be a great song for a wedding.

Tempo: Slow
Key: Ab

Resource links:

• Lyrics for Your Love Divine
• Chords for Your Love Divine
• Sheet music for Your Love Divine (Kindle version only)

• For singers: 4 / 5
• For musicians: 4 / 5