Composition originally written for the World Saxophone Quartet, with woodwind doubling (two flutes, clarinet, and tenor saxophone), found in Music Manuscript Notebook 1 (MMN1). The archive includes parts in Hemphill’s hand, as well as a transposition of the clarinet part for alto clarinet, apparently made by Hamiet Bluiett. This arrangement of the piece was recorded by Marty Ehrlich as “Children’s Song: First Version” on the album At Dr. King’s Table (1997).
Hemphill arranged the piece for saxophone sextet for his collaboration with choreographer Bill T. Jones, “Last Supper at Uncle Tom’s Cabin / The Promised Land.” The Julius Hemphill Sextet also recorded this version on At Dr. King’s Table. The archive includes the complete score of “Last Supper at Uncle Tom’s Cabin / The Promised Land” as well as a sextet version of “Children’s Song” prepared by Marty Ehrlich.
Found on: At Dr. King’s Table.
From Marty Ehrlich: By its placement in MMN1, I believe this piece was composed c. 1975-1978. (Bill T. Jones speaks about this work in the film Jazz Dancing, present in the archive.)