You Got Ta Move!
Sheet Music

Piano (SSAB choir)

SKU: AN.AMP-0633

Edited by Judith Willoughby. Arranged by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory. Octavo. Alliance Music Publications #AMP 0633. Published by Alliance Music Publications (AN.AMP-0633).

And Sean Ivory.

ARRANGERS' NOTES

"You Got Ta Move" is a traditional spiritual from the praise houses on the barrier islands that dot the coast of South Carolina and Georgia. The Sea Islands were (are) the home of a unique Afroybased culture whose language (a Creole dialect known as Gullah), lore, and customs retained more traditional African elements than corresponding mainland cultures due to geographic isolation. Bridges to most of these islands were not built until well into the twentieth century.

The song's text refers overtly to holy dances, such as the ring shout, which were intrinsic to worship experiences on the Sea Islands.

In its original context, "You Got Ta Move" would have been performed without instrumental accompaniment, in a call and response style. It would begin at a slow, somber tempo, and then heat up with an accelerando and the introduction of frenetic clapping. (In general, clapping that accompanies sacred music on the Sea Islands bears striking similarities to complex drumming patterns from West Africa.) As the music heightens in intensity, individual singers would become ecstatic, stepping forward for brief interludes of solo dancing. This tradition, as well, reaches back to Africa. It is notably similar to West African custom and is found among practitioners of the Yorubaybased Santeria religion in Cuba.