Sheet Music: Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

TitleSometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
ComposerTraditional American
InstrumentationFlute solo
KeyC minor
RangeG4–C6
Time signature4/4
Tempo60 BPM
Performance time1:00
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (45 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (489 kB)
Date added2013-05-03
Last updated2013-05-03
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 0.1 (relatively unpopular)
Categories
Spirituals, Traditional/Folk

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Friday 3 May 2013

Tune of the Day: Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

Traditional Negro spiritual

This song dates back to the era of slavery in the United States, when it was common practice to sell children of slaves away from their parents. The song is an expression of pain and despair as it conveys the hopelessness of a child who has been torn from his or her parents.

An early performance of the song dates back to the 1870s by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Like many traditional songs, it has many variations and has been recorded widely.

Thanks to Lucia for suggesting this tune!