letters
So usually I talk a lot and mean a little. But this time I was serious. I would love for us to sing barbershop and madrigals (don't stop now, Meghan, keep reading, do it for the alcohol -- explanation forthcoming).
Our library actually had a couple of helpful books. A book entitled "Popular Songs of 19th Century America" has copies of old sheet music like "The Flying Trapeze" (tangent: this is one of my favorite songs after having seen "It Happened One Night," which I recommend for a movie night if anyone would like to (re-)see it).
A lot of the songs deal with alcoholism (and that is where I appeal to Meghan: if not for the madrigals, do it for that noble art of drinking). Many songs deal with unruly wives -- "The Book of Rounds" has a treasury of anti-woman sentiment we can sing, I think it would be lovely (for sample lyrics see the end of this e-mail). "The Oxford Book of English Madrigals" contains a song waxing poetic about the pleasures of tobacco. That particular book also features a little ditty that deals with Robin Hood. Essential, I feel, to our repertoire.
Tell me what you think. I'm open to suggestions of anything to sing, even hymns or pop music, anything vocal for a small group (1-2 people per part). We could even try distributing music before Spring Break and then meeting after it to see what we can sound like together. Most of the music looks really reasonable for us altos, and what doesn't we can shift -- up or down an octave, or to a different key.
Some rounds:
While Adam Slept
While Adam slept from him his Eve arose,
Strange that his first sleep should be his last repose.
A Woman's Rule
A woman's rule should be in such a fashion
Only to guide her household and her passion;
And her obedience never out of season,
So long as either husband lasts, or reason.
Ill fares the hapless family that shows
A cock that's silent and a hen that crows;
I know not which live more unnatural lives,
Obedient husbands, or commanding wives.
I've Lost My Mistress, Horse and Wife
I've lost my mistress, horse, and wife,
But when I think on human life,
I'm glad it is no worse.
My wife was ugly and a scold,
My mistress was grown lean and old,
But I'm sorry for my horse.
I hope the lyrics themselves make you want to sing this. If not, do it for the alcohol.
But no pressure, things are hectic at the moment. Just tell me if it sounds good to you as an eventual project.
Indeed. I'm all for it...all of it. But if we must perform madrigals, may they be promoting the pleasures of the vine, tobacco, or flesh. Indeed.
-M. Solosky Walker
P.S. Perhaps we could get the Wismer Center to sponsor us. Hahahaha.
We can discuss other details later because I have to go write up a physics lab (why oh why didn't I change majors before it was too late!) I am so excited!
Ingrid
in doing the quartet thing. I just am really bad at replying to my
e-mails. Sorry. Meghan said that you guys were looking at music and were
making copies. That sounds great. Did you know that the seattle public
library has a huge music section? We could look there.
Claire
Three cheers for debauchery! Hip, hip! Hip, hip! Hip, hip!
Y'know...sins can be fun.
-Megarific
Hila Lenz writes:
...like a crackhead.