Tomorrow is the 23rd of April, St George’s Day in England and to help celebrate the occasion I thought I would share with you a beautifully composed song by the great English composer Michael Head (28 January 1900 – 24 August 1976).
The song that I have chosen uses the words of Seamus O’Sullivan’s famous poem “A Piper”, which conjures up fabulous images of a joyful celebration in which everyone involved puts aside their differences, forget their worries, stops their chores and for a brief moment rejoice in the happiness brought about by the beautiful music.
The words are brought to life by the vivid colour produced by the music of Michael Head and I do hope that you enjoy it.
A Piper – Music by Michael Head
A piper in the streets today
set up, and tuned, and started to play,
And away, away, away on the tide
of his music we started; on ev’ry side
Doors and windows were opened wide,
And men left down their work and came
And women with petticoats coloured like flame.
And little bare feet that were blue with cold
went dancing, dancing back to the age of gold,
And all the world went gay, went gay
For half an hour in the streets today.
The performance was from a recital that was held on the 19th September 2014 in St George The Martyr Church, Preston.
