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A set of five arrangements of Traditional American folk songs for baritone and piano. The set does not have a story through line, but the tunes were picked for their very “American” quality.
I. The Gallows Tree - (C3-G4)
Is told from the point of view of a man who is set to hang. However, he keeps urging the hangman to “slack his rope” as he desperately looks for anyone to pay his way to freedom. He is visited by his father, mother, and his lover - all of whom are unable to pay his bail.
II. The Banks of the Ohio - (C3-D4)
Part of a curious genre of folk melodies called the “murder ballad”, The Banks of the Ohio tells the story of a man who kills his lover after finding out that she is unwilling to marry him. In this particular song his method of murder is throwing her in the river as he knows she cannot swim.
III. Daisy Bell - (C3-F4)
An old barbershop stander, Daisy Bell is a tung and cheek “proposal” where the asker sings about their great love for the wonderful titular Daisy but also cautions her that the wedding won’t be “stylish” as he is poor. However, with a small interjection of You are My Sunshine, the piece lands firmly on the side of love.
IV. Kentucky Babe - (Bb2-Eb4)
The slightly lesser-known cousin of A the Pretty Little Horses, Kentucky Babe is an old lullaby written by black slaves in the south. It would have been sung to the children of the master of the house, but also to the nursery maid’s own children. It is wonderfully evocative of a sweet Kentucky night with a cool mood gentle swaying.
V. I’ve Been Working on the Railroad - (D3-G4)
Is a very well-known tune; it is a high energy piece that chugs along just as well as any train. This version also has a smash cut to On Top of Old Smokey after as confronted with the answer of what the person strumming in the kitchen with Dinah is singing.
A set of five arrangements of Traditional American folk songs for baritone and piano. The set does not have a story through line, but the tunes were picked for their very “American” quality.
I. The Gallows Tree - (C3-G4)
Is told from the point of view of a man who is set to hang. However, he keeps urging the hangman to “slack his rope” as he desperately looks for anyone to pay his way to freedom. He is visited by his father, mother, and his lover - all of whom are unable to pay his bail.
II. The Banks of the Ohio - (C3-D4)
Part of a curious genre of folk melodies called the “murder ballad”, The Banks of the Ohio tells the story of a man who kills his lover after finding out that she is unwilling to marry him. In this particular song his method of murder is throwing her in the river as he knows she cannot swim.
III. Daisy Bell - (C3-F4)
An old barbershop stander, Daisy Bell is a tung and cheek “proposal” where the asker sings about their great love for the wonderful titular Daisy but also cautions her that the wedding won’t be “stylish” as he is poor. However, with a small interjection of You are My Sunshine, the piece lands firmly on the side of love.
IV. Kentucky Babe - (Bb2-Eb4)
The slightly lesser-known cousin of A the Pretty Little Horses, Kentucky Babe is an old lullaby written by black slaves in the south. It would have been sung to the children of the master of the house, but also to the nursery maid’s own children. It is wonderfully evocative of a sweet Kentucky night with a cool mood gentle swaying.
V. I’ve Been Working on the Railroad - (D3-G4)
Is a very well-known tune; it is a high energy piece that chugs along just as well as any train. This version also has a smash cut to On Top of Old Smokey after as confronted with the answer of what the person strumming in the kitchen with Dinah is singing.