Hand picking cotton is possibly one of the most grueling tasks known to man. To make things easier, people in 19th century rural America used to sing across the field in support of one another. The start of this piece is performed with a different player for each bar and evokes this image very effectively. The ensuing “Praising Song” celebrates the end of a tough day, with much singing, clapping and stamping! An elementary ensemble will sparkle as they play the double quavers, pizzicati and syncopation.