Jericho's Wall

"Jericho's Wall" by Sir Sam Ojukwu is a spirited, energetic choral piece that brings the biblical story of Joshua to life. With its lively tempo and rhythmic bounce, it is an exciting anthem for choirs to sing, making it a favorite for concerts, special choral presentations, and youth choir festivals. The music captures the anticipation and triumph of the Israelites' march, translating a familiar scriptural event into a robust four-part arrangement.

The piece is structured with two narrative verses that lay out the story—marching around Jericho and trusting in the Lord's command—before launching into a highly rhythmic, layered refrain. In the chorus, the voice parts echo and overlap on the phrase "Yes! the wall came tumbling down," building momentum with every repetition. The dramatic, punctuated "down! down! down!" at the very end gives the choir a chance to deliver a powerful, ringing finale.

For a choir director looking to inject energy and a sense of storytelling into a repertoire, this piece is a fantastic choice. It reminds the congregation of the power of faith and obedience, wrapped in a melody that is almost impossible not to tap your feet to.