For any lover of choral music, Richard Smallwood can be the gateway into learning the awesomeness of black gospel music. His powerful songs have distinct classical choir elements and he blends them well with black gospel style. It was because of this that I looked for iTunes's second (to "Total Praise") most popular tune by Richard Smallwood as I chose a gospel choir song for my multicultural church for the Easter service. And I found a song that Richard Smallwood had written with Kirk Franklin called "Don't Cry."
"Don't Cry" is a powerful Easter song that starts with a simple melody and slowly builds harmony (mostly tertian) and dynamics. This simplicity makes it more singable by the choir and the congregation. It was the opening to our Easter service and it was very-well received, so much so that this church used the song again (this time with interpretative dance) a few years later. Lyrics below:
Why do you cry? He has risen. Why are you weeping? He's not dead. Why do you cry? He has risen. Why are you weeping? He's not dead.
He paid it all on that lonely highway. And His anointing I can feel. He shed His blood. For my transgressions. And by His stripes we are healed.
Why do you cry? He has risen. Why are you weeping? He's not dead.
So as you go through life's journey. Don't you worry lift up your head.
Don't you cry. Stop your weeping. He has risen. He's not dead.
Don't cry. Wipe your eyes. He's not dead.
Don't weep. He's not asleep Jehovah, He's not dead Don't cry. Wipe your eyes. He's not dead.
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