'Tis me, O Lord

Harry Thacker Burleigh

ModernObscureromanceE-flat majorLento4/4~4 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 5ABRSM 4

About this piece

An arrangement of a traditional spiritual by a seminal African American composer. It is musically notable for its soulful melodic lines and sophisticated harmonic colorings.

Teacher notes

The performer must focus on expressive voicing to ensure the melody projects over the rich harmonic texture.

Technical focus

cantabilevoicingrubato

Mood

contemplativenostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to 'Tis me, O Lord

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Frequently asked questions

How hard is 'Tis me, O Lord by Harry Thacker Burleigh?

'Tis me, O Lord is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.

What level do I need to play 'Tis me, O Lord?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 3 — meaning you can already play level 2–3 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is 'Tis me, O Lord?

A typical performance of 'Tis me, O Lord lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for 'Tis me, O Lord?

'Tis me, O Lord is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to 'Tis me, O Lord?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Albumblatt by Johannes Brahms, (Four Note) Pavan by Richard Farrant, Berceuse, H.8d by Frank Bridge — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.