Choral ~ General ~ A Cappella
“Old Joe Clark”
(An arrangement of the American folk song)
SOUND CLIP / WATCH VIDEO ON VIMEO / SCORE SAMPLE
SCORING: SATB a cappella (frequent divisi)
DURATION: ca. 2:05 — DIFFICULTY: 4/5 — PAGES IN PDF SCORE: 18
HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER — PDF: $55 (for all the copies you need)
DESCRIPTION
The overtly humorous and playful nature of this American folk song inspired me to create an arrangement that's jaunty, fast-paced, and very energetic. This piece would add a touch of levity to any concert, and would be especially fun and appropriate for an All-State choir.
TEXT INFO
Old Joe Clark
Traditional American folk song
Complete text:
Fare, fare thee well, Old Joe Clark!
Fare, fare thee well, I say.
Fare, fare thee well, Old Joe Clark!
I ain't got too long to stay.
Old Joe Clark, he had a house,
Fifteen stories high.
Ev'ry story in that house
Was filled with chicken pie.
Fare thee well, Old Joe Clark!
Fare thee well, I say.
Fare thee well, Old Joe Clark!
I ain't got long to stay.
I won't go to Old Joe's house,
Told you that before.
He fed me in an old hog trough;
I won't go there no more!
(Refrain)
Wish I had a nickel, son.
Wish I had a dime.
I wish I had a handsome boy
To kiss and call him mine!
Wish I had a pretty girl.
I'd give her all that's mine.
We'd sing and dance the whole day through;
Our dancing would be fine!
(Refrain)
Old Joe Clark had a yellow cat,
She would not sing nor pray.
She stuck her head in a buttermilk jar,
And washed her sins away!
(Refrain)
Round and around and around and around!
Old Joe Clark!