Lyrics Five Folk Songs for Soprano and Band

1 lyrics

1.1 mrs. mcgrath
1.2 pretty little horses
1.3 yerakina
1.4 el burro
1.5 fidler

lyrics

each of movements based on popular folk poems originating different countries. first 2 movements appear in musical score. last 3 movements english translations of original texts. soprano sings each folk song in vernacular language, notated in published score.

mrs. mcgrath

oh, mrs. mcgrath, sargeant said,

make soldier out of son, ted

with scarlet coat , big cocked hat,

oh, mrs. mcgrath, wouldn t that?



wid yer too-ri-ah, fol-a-diddle-ah,

too-ri-oo-ri-oo-ri-ah,

wid yer too-ri-ah, fol-a-diddle-ah,

too-ri-oo-ri-oo-ri-ah.



now, mrs. mcgrath lived on shore

for space of 7 long years or more.

till saw ship sailing bay

here s son ted ya clear way?



(chorus)



oh captain dear, have been

have been sailing on mediter-e-an.

oh have tidings of son ted,

is poor boy living or dead?



(chorus)



then came ted without legs

and in place, has 2 wooden pegs.

she kiss d him thousand times or more,

saying mother of god-it isn t you.



(chorus)



oh ye drunk or ye blind

that ye left 2 fine legs behind.

or walking upon sea

wore fine legs knees away?



oh wasn t drunk , wasn t blind

but left 2 fine legs behind.

for cannon ball on fifth of may

took 2 legs knees away.



foreign wars proclaim

between don john , king of spain.

for d rather ted used be

than king of france , whole navee.

all pretty little horses

hush-a-bye, don t cry,

go sleepy little baby.

when wake shall have cake

and pretty little horses.



black , bays, dapples , greys,

coach , 6 o little horses.

blacks , bays, dapples , greys,

all pretty little horses.



hush-a-bye, don t cry,

go sleepy little baby.

your pa s away, gone astray,

gone , left little lambie



daddy s eye runnin dry,

he can t cry mammy.

daddy s eye runnin dry,

gone , left little lambie.

yerakina

yerakina went out water,

to cold water.

druga, druna, drun, drun, drun.

her bracelets rattle, bracelets rattle.

druga, druga, druna, drun, drun, drun.



and fell water well,

and gave big yell!

druga, druna, drun, drun, drun.

her bracelets rattle, bracelets rattle.

druga, druga, druna, drun, drun, drun.



yerakina, shall pull out,

and shall take wife.

druga, druna, drun, drun, drun.

her bracelets rattle, bracelets rattle.

druga, druga, druna, drun, drun, drun.

el burro

the donkey used carry vinegar died,

and lord has taken him miserable life.

que tu ru ru ru ru...



he valiant, , black,

he comfort of village.

que tu ru ru ru ru...



he straightens little hoofs, , opened wide mouth,

and tail firmly behind him, said goodbye everyone.

que tu ru ru ru ru...



all neighbors went funeral,

and aunt maria played cattle-bell.

que tu ru ru ru ru...



the donkey used carry vinegar died,

and lord has taken him miserable life.

que tu ru ru ru ru...

a fidler

so father yaridl,

i have bought new fiddle.

do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si,

i play didl, di, di, di.



hold head down,

and let eyes shine.

do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si,

i play didl, di, di, di.



right foot forward little,

tap floor little foot.

do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si,

i play didl, di, di, di.



mother chortled , filled wonder,

jascha heiifetz grows me!

do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si,

i play didl, di, di, di.