In the Southwest of the United States lies a wildly beautiful and fabulous strip of land, once called the "Indian Territory", but now known as Oklahoma. Dwelling there near Muskogee is a group of people called "Creek-Freedmen" or "Natives", who are a mixture of Creek Indian and Negro. The fusion of these two races has produced a culture that is highly intelligent and artistic.

The five songs collected here are excellent examples of the musical moods of these people who are deeply religious. The difference between these spirituals and others, lies in the fact that the Negroes' exuberance is tempered by the Indians' seriousness. Musically, this is accomplished through subtle shifts in intervals, a more marked syncopated rhythmic pattern, however an always restrained tempo.

From early childhood, I have heard my grandmother, a "Na-
tive", sing these songs in both Creek Indian and English. So, for
my New York Town Hall debut, I asked Miss Margaret Bonds to
make arrangements of them. They were immediately acclaimed
as the first modern settings of spirituals. But, to me they are more:
they are the embodiment, in notes, of the beautiful background
that Nature gave to the originators of these songs — an authentic
portrayal of the souls of the Creek-Freedmen!

HORTENSE LOVE

Copyright 1946 MUTUAL MUSIC SOCIETY, INC.
1270 Avenue of the Americas, New York 20, N. Y.

Dry Bones
Spiritual

Arranged by
MARGARET BONDS

M 272-12

Copyright 1946 MUTUAL MUSIC SOCIETY, Inc., 1270 Avenue of the Americas, New York 20, N.Y.

International Copyright Secured

Made in U.S.A.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Including the Right of Public Performance for Profit

Any arrangement or adaptation of this composition without the consent of the owner is an infringement of copyright.

HORTENSE LOVE

Dry Bones
Spiritual

Arranged by
MARGARET BONDS