ROBBIE SMITH

by Robbie Smith, arr. Chris Fortin

SATB with piano – CP 1944 – duration 4:15
SSA with piano – CP 2028
This whimsical setting for choir and piano with optional bass brings the winter season to life.  Arranged for SATB and SSA choirs by American composer Chris Fortin, Angels in the Snowpaints a magical scene with its colorful harmonies and strong unison passages highlighting the extraordinary text throughout.  The piano accompaniment is beautifully accessible and helps to support the playful imagery.  This piece is a perfect addition to any winter program, and was crafted to honor the original song by acclaimed singer/song writer, Robbie Smith.
Snow minted branches bowed to us through frosted light
A raven welcomed us and led us through a world of white
A meadow glistened, we wonder-watched what we were shown
And, christening the fields, the only footsteps were our own

We spent a day with only laughter now we know
It’s not only children who make angels in the snow

by Robbie Smith, arr. Larry Nickel

SATB with piano – CP 1996 – duration 4:35
TBB with piano – CP 2004
SSA available upon request
Everyone can relate to this compelling story. Perhaps we haven’t been stranded at sea with a broken mast but when we suffer through the storms of life hope on the horizon can bring deep relief.
I yearned to feel the ocean’s roll,
I was always the seafaring kind.
But too many storms have taken their toll, 
and all that remains on my mind –
Is dry land, dry land – 
It’s been seven fortnights since we raised the sail.
All hands, dry land – 
We’ve slipped from the grip of a force seven gale to dry land.

by Robbie Smith, arr. Larry Nickel

SATB with piano – CP 1998 – duration 4:05
SSA with piano – CP 1973
TBB available upon request
Robbie invented the perfect word for a glorious day on the water. His melodies soar like seagulls in the salty breeze.
Find the gullwind in the harbour,
trace the tideline on the water, read the signs.
Catch the fish with lure and line, 
bamboo pole and golden twine.
See the starfish shine.

by Robbie Smith, arr. Mary Knickle

SATB with piano – CP 1945 – duration 3:45
SSA with piano – CP 1964
A perfect story for Christmas.   Gentle harmonies, a lilting melody that rises and falls and rises to match the magic that can happen when a stranger is welcomed into a house and leaves a special gift.

The moon paved a road cross the lake
And the snow covered ground
While an old man with a dog-team and a sleigh
Made his way to the town

by Robbie Smith, arr. Donna Rhodenizer

SATB with keyboard – CP 1956 – duration: 3:25
SSA with keyboard – CP 2037
TTBB with keyboard – CP 2144
The Last Song captures the mixture of delight and regret as enjoyable experiences that bring us pleasure conclude and we must say goodbye, so long, fare thee well, au revoir or auf Wiedersehen. We are reticent to reach the end of enjoyable musical concerts, art performances and drama productions, even though we know the final curtain must fall and things must come to an end. The Last Song is an ideal choice for the final song for a concert and a delightful way to bid adieu to an audience, gently ushering them to the inevitable end of a wonderful musical performance.
The concert is over, the footlights are low
And so must the curtain fall
I’ll sing one more song now and then I must go
Adieu to you, one and all

by Robbie Smith, arr. Byron Hermann

SATB with keyboard and optional instrument – CP 2026 – duration: 5:05
TTBB with keyboard and optional instrument – CP 2038
Robbie Smith’s gentle nature often leads to lyrics that question mankind’s long-time propensity for conflict in the name of power and greed. They provide us with “A legacy of love that few can match” (Kathleen Glauser). This arrangement by Byron provides music with a classical feel as the original tune travels back to a folk-style from the Renaissance period.

Lay down your weapons, lay down your arms
Turn swords into ploughshares, battlefields to farms

by Robbie Smith; arr. Laura Hawley

SATB with Piano  –  CP 2024   –  duration 3:35
This is such a ‘good times’ song! When Kathleen Glauser (of the Robbie & Kathleen duo group Naming the Twins) approached me about writing arrangements of Robbie’s music, this song jumped out to me at a time when choirs had been unable to gather together for over a year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time (spring 2020), I was anticipating a resurgence of choral gatherings to come in the fall of 2020, and thought this would be a really fun song to focus on arranging, as a sort of personal celebration looking forward to this, and something choirs could enjoy singing when they returned. I think this piece has a wonderful positive message, and would work well in many different concert programs – it’s such a happy song!

Let’s have some music, there’s a lot of sweet music in my soul
Let’s have some music, gonna reach out and touch you that’s my goal

by Robbie Smith; arr. Laura Hawley

SATB with Piano  –  CP 2016   –  duration 5:05
For this beautifully poignant song, I brought in a gentle and floating piano accompaniment that reharmonizes some of the melody differently from Robbie’s original harmonies. I have a few different ideas about who the narrator of my arrangement could be, and encourage performers to come up with their own interpretation and meaning. To help with this, I also suggest listening to the original recording by Naming the Twins, Robbie and Kathleen’s duo group, to compare and contrast with my arrangement. You can find their recording on YouTube.

Now the great halls are silent in Lincoln Cathedral
Cloistered in darkness safe from the people
And far in the distance a princess is weeping
Hiding a letter still in her keeping
Bound by tradition she’ll sleep by his side
His choice was made and so she must be his bride
Now she must be his bride keeping the truth deep inside
Now she must be his bride – casting her love aside

by Robbie Smith, arr. Mark Sirett

SATB  with piano – CP 1971   – duration 4:50
SSA  with piano – CP 1978
TBB  with piano – CP 1976

A perfect selection for Remembrance and Memorial Day commemorations, this deeply moving song by Robbie Smith calls us to become peacemakers, to be compassionate and caring, and to bring love and joy to others.
Maybe war will teach us something – teach us how to live in peace
Maybe tears will turn to gladness – and maybe famine will lead to feast
Maybe hatred will turn to kindness once it sees what it’s become
Maybe lies will turn to the truth once the sadness they’ve caused is done

by Robbie Smith, arr. Stephen Smith

TTBB with piano – CP 1992  – duration 2:45
SATB with piano – CP 2025

A fetching piano intro is followed by a solid sea shanty in 6/8 time, with a rousing swing. This arrangement is ideal for choirs at any level of ability.

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

poem by John Masefield

by Robbie Smith, arr. Gary Ewer

SATB  with piano – CP 1937 – duration 3:35
SSA  with piano – CP 1982
TBB  with piano – CP 2020
This cheerful and uptempo secular piece captures the essence of winter with lively melodies and uplifting harmonies, celebrating the warmth of cherished memories and the joy of togetherness. As the singers recount the cold and barren landscapes, their spirited voices bring a sense of hope and anticipation for the coming spring, encouraging all to “Sing the Winter Away”.
Oh, the winter frost is settling in
And I know the snows will soon begin
Into the air the leaves are swirled
The world goes ‘round – ‘round goes the world

by Robbie Smith, arranged by Mark Sirett

SATB a cappella – CP 2006   – duration 2:45
TTBB a cappella – CP 2007

Ahoy!  We set sail in this rollicking, high-energy sea shanty by Robbie Smith.  All hands on deck! Get your hands and feet ready for some body percussion to add in the excitement.
Come all ye wise or simple men – skippers & mates & deckhands
To man the cargo ships again – skippers & mates & deckhands
We place no stock in rank nor name – skippers & mates & deckhands
To the rollin’ seas you’re all the same – skippers & mates & deckhands

by Robbie Smith, arr. Tom Leighton

SATB with piano – CP 1957 – duration 3:45
SSA with piano – CP 2030
Once again Robbie has given us a song we can ALL relate to, choristers and audience alike.
We’ve all had that “down” feeling, but Robbie brings us back with a fun, easy swing feel of optimism.
A terrific song for the end of a concert.

Somedays there ain’t no fish – there ain’t no fish to catch
Somedays there ain’t no berries, hidin’ in the berry patch
Somedays, somedays – nothin’ works and nothin’ pays
My life’s been filled with somedays
I hope there’s better days ahead

by Robbie Smith; arr. Michael Zaugg

SATB a cappella – CP 2029 – duration 4:45
There have been many songs about going to heaven, such as the campfire singalong “Way Beyond the Blue”. Robbie’s song is simple yet profound and Michael has created gorgeous harmonies that will transport any listener to higher realms of glory.  This setting is designed for accomplished singers.
Some sweet day I shall wake up in a new land
Lift my eyes to the Heavens and behold
My soul will rise into the skies above the islands
And I shall know the glories of a story still untold

by Robbie Smith and Mike Appelboom, arr. Tom Leighton

SATB with piano – CP 1943 – duration 4:05   
SSA with piano – CP 2054
TTBB with piano – CP 1946

With a gentle triple-time lilt, this beauty addresses the Nativity theme in a surprising and delightful way.
Take the words make the words fill the hearts of men
Though words are mere shadows of what happened then
When heaven’s great treasure descended to man
That time-honoured night when the carols began

By Robbie Smith and Kathleen Glauser, arr. Donna Rhodenizer

SATB with keyboard – CP 1930 – duration: 4:45
SSA with keyboard – CP 1993
TTBB with keyboard – CP 2021
In this song, Robbie and Kathleen present some of the simple things we find in this vast world that give us a feeling of connection and sameness. “We do have a lot in common…why can’t we just get along?” This heartfelt sentiment is a timeless message that is good for all to remember. The arrangements for Why Can’t We were created with community choirs in mind with pleasant, accessible harmonic lines and parts that feel natural and melodic to sing.
Touch the same grass breathe the same air
Same gust o’wind caresses our hair
We do… we do have a lot in common
Shed the same tears day after day
Walk the good earth in the same kinda way
We do… we do have a lot in common
So why can’t we… why can’t we just get along?
Why can’t we… why can’t we just get along?

by Robbie Smith, arr. Erica Phare-Bergh

SATB with piano and instruments  –  CP 1961   – duration 4:05
SSAA with piano and instruments  –  CP 1975
TTBB with piano and instruments  –  CP 2109
This is one of Robbie Smith’s most beautiful songs – in a minor key – and Erica has given it a stunning choral arrangement with sweet-spot vocal registers and interesting lines for each singer. The ideal instrumental accompaniment should include violin and recorder. However, this song would work well with almost any combination of C instruments. We also have a solo option for flute, violin, oboe or recorder.

Wind awakens winter in me
And leaves my spirit bleak and barren
Yearning for fond moments to be 
And the spring in all its fragrant finery

Skies are dressed in dull shades of gray
And the farmland fields lie sleeping fallow
A lone bird call takes me away
To future promise far away from today