I would like to share with you another one of Aaron Copland’s songs from his American folk songs collection.
The collection was written in two parts, the first set of five songs were arranged following a request from Benjamin Britten for his Music and Art Festival in Aldeburgh in 1950. These songs were well received and so Copland decided to write another five in 1952.
Last week I shared with you the lilting lullaby “The Little Horses” which came from the second set of songs so as a contrast I selected another song from the same set “Ching-A-Ring Chaw” as I liked the energetic nature of the piece. When selecting the songs to sing together for a recital sometimes it is good to show a little contrast and variety. I hope that you enjoy the recording.
Ching-A-Ring Chaw
Ching-a-ring-a ring ching ching,
Hoa dinga ding kum larkee,
Ching-a-ring-a ring ching ching,
Hoa ding kum larkee.
Brothers gather round,
Listen to this story,
‘Bout the promised land,
An’ the promised glory.
You don’ need to fear,
If you have no money,
You don’ need none there,
To buy you milk and honey.
There you’ll ride in style,
Coach with four white horses,
There the evenin’ meal,
Has one two three four courses.
Nights we all will dance
To the harp and fiddle,
Waltz and jig and prance,
“Cast off down the middle!”
When the mornin’ come,
All in grand and splendour,
Stand out in the sun,
And hear the holy thunder.
Brothers hear me out,
The promised land’s a-comin’
Dance and sing and shout,
I hear them harps a strummin.’
Thanks a lot Charlotte, You are the spring coming into a dark winter day !!
It’ll soon be Spring yipee 😃. What is Spring in French? I know Ete and is it Hiver?
Best wishes
Charlotte
spring is Printemps 🙂 , winter =hiver, automn=automne, summer = été 🙂
I must figure out how to get the accent on the e on my iPad?
there must be French keyboard option? the “é” is under the 2
that was FUN! thank you so much for cheering my heart!
I’m pleased you enjoyed it Annette 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow! Fabulous! I love that one! Thank-you Charlotte.
Cheers Clare I hope it made you smile 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
It did! Thank-you! 😀
😀
Excellent, Charlotte.
Charles Ives wrote songs too (hint!).
I shall have to investigate I must make a note for the summer recess I have so much to learn this trimester!
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fun song.. I like it. By the way, your photo looks fantastic.
Thank you it was from a short photo session I organised with Sam Pyatt my friend from Youth Positive at the end of the summer.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Loved it – especially the big ending!
I punch the air on Chow 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Delightful!
Thank you Peter I’ve a couple more I recorded from my Aaron Copland series to upload over the next couple of weeks.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hi good morning to you
Goodmorning Amritpal I hope you’re having a lovely week.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Absolutely love that song Charlotte, well sung.xx
Thank you I thought you’d like that one, can’t wait for you to see a live performance of it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very happy and uplifting. Even if I suspect it has its roots in slavery hoping for a brand new day????? Could that be right?? Last night I was at a documentary film showing, about wild horses (brumbies) in Australia. I mentioned your “The Little Horses” to the lady next to me, and she knew it well. She kept humming it before the documentary started . . .
Sad to think ” an African American slave who could not take care of her baby because she was too busy taking care of her master’s child. She would sing this song to her master’s child.” I on the other hand was free to sing this to my own child. So much sadness in this world, now and then and again.
Hi Gwen, as with many folk songs passed down from person to person the origins of this song go back to at least the early 19th Century. I found an article which referenced the Library of Congress website Music for the Nation: American Sheet Music, ca. 1820-1860 (U.S.A.) which gives the first noted publication date as 1833. Copland decided to alter the lyrics so as not cause offence and in doing so would have been considered ahead of his time in back in 1950’s.
The meaning of the original lyrics were thought to have been associated with the then newly established Republic of Haiti following the overthrow of the French army by the slaves who lived there 1804. The promise of freedom, safety and a better life for those still living as slaves.
Whatever the origins Copland through his adaptation has preserved a song that can be seen as uplifting and full of hope.
Best Wishes
Charlotte
Thanks for doing the research on this one Charlotte. I hadn’t thought of the Haiti link – very interesting.
“Stand out in the sun, And hear the holy thunder.” Do, indeed!
Who did look after the children of the slaves whilst their parents worked? Was just one slave put in charge of many children?
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fun song and catchy tempo. Nice job! Xo
It has a great tempo doesn’t it, thanks Janice.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a delightful song with your beautiful voice on this cold wintery day in Canada! It has made my home warmer! 🙂 Thanks for sharing Charlotte!!
Touch wood we’ve had it quite mild up to now this winter, I’ve seen some photos of all the snow on Janice’s blog and Jims these areas must be so much better able to cope with it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Much respect.
Thank you Eric 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow! Well done, that sounded fearsomely difficult, but fun.
They sound so simple but they are all quite challenging in their own way. I’ve enjoyed learning the program.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a fun song — to sing and to listen to! Well done! 🙂
Thanks Linda, I have great fun singing it 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
You didn’t have fun recording this, did you? 😉
Charlotte, this was so much fun! Thank you1 It’s so fast, the lyrics are almost tongue tripping!