Song cycle for baritone and piano, c. 20 minutes

John Brown (1800-1859) was a prominent abolitionist, known for his radical beliefs and violent resistance against the institution of slavery. For both of these things, he was considered a madman by abolitionists and slaveholders alike. He was arrested, tried, and executed for attempting a raid on the armory at Harpers Ferry, VA. Brown's "radical beliefs" were that slavery was a sin; that people of color were equal to white people in every way, and deserved all the same rights and provisions. Even to the staunchest abolitionists of the time, these beliefs were foreign. Not only was he ahead of the abolitionists - He was more than 100 years ahead of the Civil Rights movement. He also believed that slavery would only be abolished after much violence had befallen America. Shortly after his death, he was proved right by the Civil War - The bloodiest war in American history.

The text of this cycle was completely taken from John Brown's own letters and words, with a few minor exceptions. Most of the songs come from his letters from his imprisonment at Charles Town, leading up to his execution. I have attempted, as best as possible, to keep true to the man's powerful and beautiful diction, while narrowing down his prose to be more compact and musically effective. The music itself takes inspiration from many eras and genres - Baroque and Romantic oratorios, musical theatre, gospel, jazz, folk, and contemporary opera and art song. I hope to create a sound world both biblical in drama and uniquely American.