The voice parts of this imaginative
arrangement are very melodic so it will be easy for the singers to feel secure
on their parts which are also supported by an up-tempo, rhythmic accompaniment.
The other dimension of this piece is the nice contrast Mr. Rousseau achieves
between the stanzas written by the 19th century Irish poet, William Allingham.
It begins and ends with a very up-beat chorus, but two of the stanzas are marked
Mysteriously and Freely which gives the director the freedom for
creative interpretation. The text to this two- or three-part original
composition by Andrew Rousseau paints a vivid picture of the “wee folk” who
are often blamed for unexplainable things in nature such as the mysterious
northern lights or how thorns get into one’s bed at night. Also, the legend
implies that time in the fairy realm moves at a very different pace than in
the mortal world. Early adolescent singers will easily relate to this piece
because of their interest in The Lord of the Rings and Harry Porter. Check out the
two-part
and three-part
variable voicing charts to better understand the different voicings that may
be used with this arrangement.
Words by
William Allingham
Music by Andrew
Rousseau
Arranged by Andrew
Rousseau
Two-Part Variable
Voicing with Piano (CP Catalog #C905209)
Three-Part Variable Voicing
with Piano (CP Catalog #C905208)
from J.W. Pepper