Pilgrim Song is a powerful and heartfelt arrangement of a traditional American tune and lyrics. The text speaks of the glory of heaven and the risen life, and welcomes the day of judgement; these words are set strophically to a simple, broadly lilting melody, before the voices open into a grander choral texture with imitative motifs and a dramatic modulation. The piano part (also included in the orchestral version) adds further colour and texture with continuously flowing passages, syncopated countermelodies, and the use of different registers.