fre o (satb)

The Republic of Haiti was created in 1804 by slaves who revolted against France.  Modern Haitians are descended from generations of intermarriage between a variety of West African nations, with some influence from the French and the Taino Indians.  Haitian cultural life is a rich mix of these influences, and the Voudou religion has become an effective synthesis of Christianity and West African beliefs.

Fre O is an appeal to the Voudou spirits Dambala, the serpent, and Ayida, the rainbow..  Percussion parts are in the octavo, but the piece works equally well a cappella.