Vum Vive Vum

Vum Vive Vum is the central movement of Angel of Light, a cantata based on Shaker themes. A dancing and playful rhythmic ride for SATB choir, Vum Vive Vum will bring a burst of energy to any choral performance. It is ideal as a light-hearted opening or closing number and perfect for intermediate choirs and beyond.

The original tune of Vum Vive Vum dates from 1844 and is a lively example of a Shaker dance song. The use of vocables was a common feature of early Shaker music, particularly in the repertoire used for dance. In Vum Vive Vum, the vocal sounds used represent a uniquely American form of “mouth music”—a style of traditional singing where nonsense words are used to mimic the sounds of an instrument or the rhythms of a dance.