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.’