Through That Gate

03 Nov Through That Gate

A super-fun song to join in with from MaMuse. Influenced by the Gullah tradition active in composer Sarah Nutting’s Carolina homeland, it’s part gospel, part hoedown, and major joy. This song is in a mostly 2-voice part arrangement (with a 3rd harmony at the end) and has several solo opportunities on the verses. It celebrates our determination to stay connected on the path of justice and freedom.

Composer & Copyright

Original song by Sarah Nutting of MaMuse. ©Sarah Nutting. Please support the artist by purchasing their released version of this song on the fabulous album Heart Nouveau.

Recording

Lyrics

Ohh ooh ah (x4)

SOLO: The warmth of the fire is calling us to it, our passion for living is coming through.
One by one, we’ll all feel it in time-

One by one, we’ll all feel it in time.   Ohh ooh ah (x2)

SOLO: They’re cooking up fear in the kitchen, we’re serving up a different stew. Sincerely sipping love’s magical brew.
One by one, we’ll all sip it in time–

One by one, we’ll all sip it in time.

And I’m going through that gate, you’re coming with me (x3)
We’re all going home (x2)
Ohh ooh ah (x2)

SOLO: We got fire in our water and plastic in our food, I’m gonna say it, I’m gonna say it, but I won’t put the blame on you
One by one, we’ll all know it in time-

One by one, we’ll all know it in time

Ohh ooh ah (x2)

SOLO: We are healers inspirers, lovers of what’s true. Reclaiming our lives and the work we’re here to do.
One by one, we’ll all claim it in time,

One by one we’ll all claim it in time.

And I’m going through that gate, you’re coming with me (x3)
We’re all going home (x2)
Ohh ooh ah (x4)

So grab your neighbor, grab your neighbor by the hand let’s go outside.
May be fear here, may be grief here,
but that’s no reason to hide, hide, hide, hide…

And I’m going through that gate, you’re coming with me (x3)
We’re all going home (etc.) / One by one, we’re all going home (etc.)
One by one

Teaching Notes

A simplified version of this can be shared with almost no teaching required if a strong leader or two is singing all the verses, inviting singers to join in on the echos and chorus. The bridge transition and ending has some complexity so the rating below is based on teaching speed of this full arrangement by oral tradition with a chorus. The arrangement is in two voices with the melody in the high part until the very end when the high part splits in two after the key change. Note the first portion of the song is a bit low in most singers’ range, but works well for the big finish which is up a few steps. We’ve added guitar in our arrangement to hold the bass line and add interest, but it could easily be done without or with other/additional instruments.