HURD, M.: Pop Cantatas - Jonah-Man Jazz / Prodigal / Rooster Rag / Swingin' Samson / Captain Coram's Kids 8.

572505
http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.572505

JONAH-MAN JAZZ Chorus

A Cantata-Musical for Unison Voices and Piano [4] The waves grew high, the ship began to roll
Words and Music by Michael Hurd The wind blew strong and the storm bell toll
The sailors muttered, “There must be a jinx on board.”
Chorus The rain beat down, the lightning flashed
[1] Nineveh city was a city of sin The thunder roared and the topmast crashed
The jazzin’ and a-jivin’ made a terrible din The sailors muttered, “There sure is a jinx on board.”
Beat groups playin’ a rock and roll Soon all the sailors are decided
And the Lord when he heard it said, “Bless my soul!” That someone in the passengers or crew
Had brought down an evil luck upon them
The people wouldn’t listen, danced night and day So there was only one thing left to do
No time for work, no time to pray They all drew lots and it fell out
They went on dancin’ by day and night That Jonah lost and they gave a shout
‘Til the Lord he said, “Well, this ain’t right!” “The jinx is Jonah, just look what he has drawed!
“Take that man Jonah, and throw him overboard!”
The Lord he pondered a subtle plan
He looked around for a righteous man Spoken
Saw Jonah sittin’ ‘neath a pineapple tree And that is exactly what they did.
And the Lord he said, “That’s the man for me.”
Solo
“A righteous man that I can trust [5] When Jonah sank into the sea he closed his eyes and prayed
“To raise this city from out the dust “Oh Lord I’m very sorry that your word I’ve disobeyed
“The man that’s sittin’ ‘neath the pineapple tree “If you will only come and save me I will do as you command
“I’m certain sure, sure, sure is the man for me.” “Instead of treading water let me tread upon the land”

Spoken Chorus
And the Lord spake unto Jonah with a loud voice, saying: Go down, Jonah, deep in the ocean
Go down, Jonah, far from the shore
Chorus Go down, Jonah, deep in the ocean
[2] Jonah, Jonah, listen to me Jonah Go down, Jonah, far from the shore
Listen while I tell you of a plan I have in mind
A city dancin’, dancin’ and romancin’ Solo
All too obviously to virtue must be blind When Jonah had repented him the Lord he didn’t fail
Although the sea was tropical he sent along a whale
Take my warnin’, early in the mornin’ It promptly swam right up to Jonah and its mouth was open wide
As early as you feel inclined Before he’d even noticed it poor Jonah was inside
Shout to the people, shout from every steeple
Tell them the Judgement Bell has chimed Chorus
Go down, Jonah, deep in the ocean
Tell them to stop their laughter or in the Great Hereafter Go down, Jonah, far from the shore
What’s to come is all too sure Go down, Jonah, deep in the ocean
For I will smite ‘em, ad infinitum Go down, Jonah, far from the shore
If they will not turn to me once more
Solo
Spoken And after swimming very hard for three days if not four
But Jonah feared to do as the Lord commanded. He turned instead The whale came near to Nineveh and ground on the shore
and ran. He ran until he came to the sea. There he found a boat and Whereat it gave a little shudder as its jaws were widely flung
a man standing by. And to that man he said: And Jonah came a-strollin’ out upon its mighty tongue

Chorus Chorus
[3] I need a boat, man, that’ll carry me away Go down, Jonah, deep in the ocean
And how I hope man, she’s sailin’ today Go down, Jonah, far from the shore
You can see I got not suitcase, I’m travellin’ light Go down, Jonah, deep in the ocean
Ain’t got no reason for stayin’ the night Go down, Jonah, safe once again on the shore

You don’t even have to tell me where we’re sailing to Spoken

Just as long as we’re sailin’, sailin’, sailin’ into the blue And Jonah kept his promise. He warned the people of Nineveh that the
Lord was angry with their evil ways. And because they had seen him
Cast off that rope, man, manhandle those oars step out of the belly of the whale, they believed what he said and did
You name the price, man, an’ the money is yours as the Lord commanded. And when he saw it, the Lord was pleased
Quit your delayin’, give your orders to the crew and would not smite them. Then Jonah and the people rose up and
And take me sailin’ over the deep blue sea with you said:
So help me, take me, sailin’ over the deep blue sea with you
Chorus
Spoken [6] We had a wonderful party and Jonah had a whale of a time
And so the boat set sail, and Jonah thought he would escape the eye But now that we’ve really repented everythin’s goin’ to be fine
of the Lord. But as they sailed, and night drew on, a strange thing We let our hair down in plenty and boy we had the blues on the run
came to pass. But even though we have repented our dancin’ days ain’t done

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HURD, M.: Pop Cantatas - Jonah-Man Jazz / Prodigal / Rooster Rag / Swingin' Samson / Captain Coram's Kids 8.572505
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Dancin’ in praise of the Lord, singin’ his praises all night Yes my friend, I fully intend to stay
Spreadin’ the gospel word, everythin’s turned out right
Jonah’s amazin’ adventure inside that mighty fish Chorus
Brought us to our salvation, brought us our dearest wish [8] In the city, free and easy
Even though the life was sleazy
So sing out the gospel music, sing out the gospel shout He insisted he was having a good time
Sing out the new song, the me and the you song There he lived a life of pleasure
Tell the whole world, tell the whole world Spending money at his leisure
Tell the whole world just what it’s all about Everybody said, “He’s having a good time!”

All lyrics © 1966 Novello and Company For you could see him playing bingo
Every night and day
PRODIGAL He had learned the lingo
A Cantata in Popular Style for Unison Voices and Piano And knew exactly what to say
Words and Music by Michael Hurd And then he started backing horses
Didn’t stop to count his losses
Chorus “Never mind,” he said, “I’m having a terribly good time.”
[7] Many years ago in a country far away
There lived a wealthy man He was proud and he was haughty
And that you may know Frankly he was rather naughty
Listen how we tell you how the story first began Yet it seemed he was having a good time
His sons were mighty fellows who laboured night and day Tho’ he couldn’t hold his liquor
And did his will from morn to night Growing sick and then much sicker
With very little pay It was his idea of having a good time
For he had made a solemn promise
That one day, given health, He spent his money with abandon
They would inherit all his wealth More and more and more
Never even noticed
It was not to be. Things were not to work out quite That he was growing very poor
According to the plan Oh he was foolish, he was silly
And that you may see Going downhill, willy-nilly
Listen while we justify the ways of God to man Coming to the end of having a terribly good time
It was the younger brother declared with all his might
He’d take his share immediately Chorus
He said it was his right [10] Down and out in the city
For he was very, very eager People pass you by
To take a little ride Now you know who your friends really are
And go explore the world outside Life is growing colder you feel older
The life you led has cut you down to size
Chorus You thought you played it pretty cool
[8] I want to go the big bad city And now at last you’re forced to realise
Want to go where the lights are bright You’ve been a fool
I want to go where the girls are pretty
And there’s plenty of fun at night Down and out in the city
I want to go where the grass is greener No-one hears your cry
And there’s nothing to do but play Now you know what despair is all about
I want to go to the big bad city When you hit the bottom, you’re forgotten
And I’m packing my bags today It’s far too late to try and make amends
You can’t undo the things you’ve done
Don’t want to listen to your objections The trouble you are facing never ends
You can keep all your good advice It’s just begun
And as for voting in the elections
I won’t do it at any price Down and out in the city
I kiss goodbye to my civic duties In the dirt you lie
I won’t listen to what you say Now you know that your luck has run out
And tho’ you register your objections One thing is for certain
I will do it my own sweet way It’s the curtain
There is no future now you’ve lost your friends
You may think my action inscrutable From now it’s downhill all the way
I do not mind This is the moment when the music ends
All I know is life is too beautiful And you must pay
To be confined
So I’ve decided to let my hair down Chorus
I’ve decided to play it cool [11] Why did I leave the house of my father?
And tho’ your noses you all may stare down Heedlessly throwing the future away?
And consider me just a fool Why did I squander all that he gave me
I won’t abandon my great ambition Burning the candle night and day?
I will stick to it come what may What is there left but pain and confusion?
I’m going off to the big bad city Pleasure has turned to disillusion
And I fully intend I have rejected, scorned and neglected

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All that my father ever had to say It’s really very easy, it doesn’t take you long
To miss your footing on the way and end up in the wrong
Why did I dream new pasture was greener? But if you realise your error
Why did I think it was better than old? Admit it from the heart
Why did I seek the end of the rainbow And then resolve that come what may
Thinking to find the pot of gold? You’ll make a brand new start
Now I am sadder, wiser and lonely
Pinning my faith on one thing only Spoken
Humble and weary, seeing more clearly That’s all it takes!
I am returning as the lamb All lyrics © 1996 Novello and Company
Returns at last to the fold
ROOSTER RAG
Chorus A Cantata in Popular Style for Unison Voices and Piano
[12] No use denying I’ve been a fool Words and Music by Michael Hurd
Disobeyed all you taught me
What will you answer, what will you say? Chorus
Can you forget and forgive what I’ve done to you? [15] Once upon a time there was a widow
No use in sighing, life is a school She was poor and life was very hard
Bitter the lesson it taught me She had three pigs and a cow upon a meadow
What is the answer, say how I may And a rooster struttin’ proudly in the yard
Honour the debt and repay you by serving you His name was Chanticleer, what a handsome fella
It was Chanticleer, monarch of them all
Spoken Solo His name was Chanticleer, red and black and yella feathers
But his father did not reject him. He knew the prodigal had learned See him standin’, crowin’ on the wall
his lesson and that a new life would begin for them all:
Now in that farmyard there were hens a-plenty
Chorus They were red an’ brown an’ neat an’ trim
[13] Kill the fatted calf The rooster ruled the roost yet evidently
Sing out in jubilation They all admired and worshipped him
Don’t do things by half His name was Chanticleer, what a handsome fella
For this is the day for a celebration It was Chanticleer, monarch of them all
Lift your voice in song His name was Chanticleer, red and black and yella feathers
(You do not mind, now do ya?) See him standin’, crowin’ on the wall
Raise the roof the whole day long
With shouts of Hallelujah Among those hens there was a very beauty
She was fair, her name was Pertelote
Make the day a gay and a jolly day She was his loving wife, it was her duty
Fill it full of pleasure To make his bed and brush his morning coat
Treat it as an extra Bank Holiday For he was Chanticleer, what a handsome fella
Enjoy it at your leisure It was Chanticleer, monarch of them all
Make a joyous sound His name was Chanticleer, red and black and yella feathers
Welcoming home the rebel See him standin’, crowin’ on the wall
What was lost at last is found
And torn from the grip of the very devil Widow
And so the days went by and each morning, as Chanticleer surveyed
Sing and dance and shout his little kingdom, Pertelote would sing to him:
Tell the people what the news is
Let it all hang out Pertelote
For such joy as ours [16] Every time I lay an egg I think of you
Doesn’t need excuses You’re the only one that I adore
Come and have a ball When I hear you singin’ in the silence of the night
Set aside your labours I know that you are heraldin’ the dawn
Open house to one and all Every time I hatch a chick I think of you
But don’t disturb the neighbours! Just for you I’d hatch a dozen more
You’re the early bird with whom I love to share a worm
Take your partner down to the barbecue And if I might presume, an ear of corn
Where the grub is grilling Morning’, afternoon and night I think of you, I do
Even though you’ve had more than just a few
To show that you are willing Widow
Join the merry dance And then all the other hens would gather round her and repeat her
Savour the situation song:
Take this one and only chance
To raise your voice in a great ovation Chorus
Every time we lay an egg we think of you
Chorus You’re the only one that we adore
[14] It was long ago. Even so When we hear you singin’ in the silence of the night
The same thing could be happening today We know that you are heraldin’ the dawn
Someone that you know Every time we hatch a chick we think of you
Someone being foolish Just for you we’d hatch a dozen more
In the old familiar way You’re the early bird with whom we love to share a worm

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And if we might presume, an ear of corn You’re for the big time, don’t ya know you’ll go far
Morning’, afternoon and night we think of you, we do You’ve got the looks to go with it, honey
The world will be your oyster I’m not exaggeratin’
Widow
One morning, however, Chanticleer staggered from his bed, bleary- Chorus
eyed and haggard. Don’t be afraid, I know a talent when I see a talent
You’ve got it made
Chorus
He was a worried man. Mr Fox
I’ll be your agent, your publicity I’ll build
Chanticleer Take my advice and baby, you could even sing in op’ra
[17] I had a terrible dream woke in the night
And my heart went pit a pat, pit a pat Chorus
I am sure there’s a meaning implied He’s got the contacts, yes, an’ he knows the score
When you’re dreaming like that This is a chance in a million honey
I had a singular fright, tried to escape The tide is turnin’ for ya
But my legs turned into stone, into stone Look at the future comin’, ain’t it a peach
I was dizzy with fear and my voice shrivelled into a moan Whatever dreams you may have dreamed
Lie within reach
There in my dream I saw a red face
A grimace and a chase Widow
That was closing upon me Chanticleer blushed and flapped his wings. It was true, he had a fine
Sharp pointed teeth and glittering eyes voice. Everybody said so. If others could win fame and fortune and
That said I was the prize glitter, why shouldn’t he? So he closed his eyes, stretched out his neck
That was ripe for the slaughter and began to sing:

Chorus Chanticleer
Oh what a horrible chill, right to the marrow O, for the wings, for the wings of a d …
My blood ran cold as ice, cold as ice
I was caught in a terrible vice Widow
And the fox grabbed him.
Widow
But Pertelote simply smiled and said: Chorus
[20] There’s a thief in the night an’ he’s got no pity
Pertelote There’s a thief an’ he’s comin’ after you
[18] Oh what a beautiful dream There’s a thief in the night, and he’s in the city
No need to panic or to call for aid He has plans for me and plans for you
For it stands to reason He’s sniffin’ around
There is no reason you should be afraid Bolt all the doors and windows
Pawin’ the ground
Chorus Put out the light, don’t make a sound
Oh what a wonderful thing Just pull the blankets over
You’ve had a vision and a prophecy Who do you think you’re kiddin’?
And in the future Closer, closer, he’s getting closer
There is a future that looks good to me
There’s a thief in the night, an’ it just ain’t funny
Pertelote There’s a thief in the night, an’ he’s comin’ after you
Dreams have a meaning that’s opposite There’s a thief in the night, an’ he don’t want no money
And a fright’s quite all right Cos he knows just what he has to do
Means that the future is very bright He’s liftin’ the latch
Fortune’s waiting round the corner Don’t let him know you’re rattled
Oh what a prospect in view Slippin’ the catch
Something is coming that will make you glad Put up a fight, don’t strike a match
And that is the meaning of Check your insurance cover
The meaning of the dream you’ve had Even tho’ you’re hidden
Closer, closer, he’s gettin’ closer
Widow There’s a thief in the night
Chanticleer felt much better when he heard these cheering words, for Here he comes
he knew that Pertelote had a habit of being right about such matters.
And so, when he met a rather foxy-looking gentleman with a very red Widow
cunning face he simply said, “Good morning” and thought no ill. But Off went the fox, dragging Chanticleer behind him. Off ran the villagers
the foxy gentleman tapped him on the shoulder and said: and the hens, in hot pursuit, but the fox outstripped them all. At last he
paused to take breath and Chanticleer, realising that this would be his
Mr Fox last chance, whispered to him as best he could:
[19] Do me a favour won’t ya, sing me a song
You’ve got a voice in a thousand honey Chanticleer
I’m all anticipation, I can feel somethin’ comin’ out of the blue [21] If I were you, do you know what I’d do?
I’d sing and dance and laugh and shout
Chorus I’d point my triumph out, if I were you
It’s goin’ ta take ya, an’ it’s goin’ ta make a star out of you If I’d my way, do you know what I’d do?

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I’d stand and shout defiance at He battled with a lion, me oh my

Each brick and stone and bat He smote the Philistines both hip and thigh
If I’d my way With the jawbone of an ass he turned them on and then
If I felt that I couldn’t stand their nonsense Slew a thousand men
I’d look them in the eye and then
I’d stare them out of countenance He let himself be led and bound with rope
If I felt that, that is exactly what I’d do The Philistines were filled with joy and hope
He gave a little shudder and the rope just melted away
Chorus There was no method of restrainin’
If I’d the luck to have your kind of pluck All the mighty power that lay within
I’d let them know just what was what The hair upon his head and chin
I wouldn’t care a jot, if I’d your pluck For that was where the secret of his fitness lay
If I’d the nerve and had your kind of verve Or so they say
I’d make it plain as plain could be
They’d never capture me, if I’d the nerve Narrator
If I could be, like you, safe as houses But although Samson was a strong man, he had one little weakness:
I’d sneer at them from night ‘til morn he liked a pretty girl. And so, when the Philistines found out, they
I’d openly admit my scorn began to search for a likely candidate. They did not have far to look.
That’s how I’d box if I were such a clever fox
Chorus
Widow [24] When Miss Delilah goes walkin’ in the morning air
This time is was the fox who fell into the trap. He opened his mouth You see the people who are shoppin’ in the market square
and Chanticleer escaped onto the highest branch of a nearby tree. Abandon all their tittle tattle
And nothing the fox could do or say would make him budge. Of Turn around and stare like cattle
course in the end Chanticleer was rescued by his friends and the fox For she is so fair!
crept back to his lair, furious at the way things had turned out. And Lovely Delilah doesn’t take a scrap of notice
that is the end of the story, except of course for the moral: Holds her head up high
She doesn’t hear the cries of wonder, doesn’t wonder why
Chorus There is a palpitating murmur and a general sigh
[22] Beware, take care Upon the air, Delilah fair!
And don’t give house room to flattery
Beware, take care When Miss Delilah goes a-saunterin’ along the street
When you feel pride swelling up inside There isn’t anyone that anyone would rather meet
You may be sure that you’re about And pass the time or have a chat with
To sign away discretion Every man’s a willin’ captive
And you’re climbing up the ladder For she is so sweet
On the danger list Lovely Delilah has a string or two
This is the moment to beware Or three or four to every beau
She doesn’t give her approbation but she don’t say no
Beware, take care And that’s the reason she’s the woman every man wants to know
And don’t give in to cajolerie She’s the elite, the super treat
Beware, take care
When you feel strongly Delilah has a beauty that can drive you mad
You can’t be wrong A subtle kind of beauty like a summer day
You may be sure that you’re about Old and young adore her
To come and awful cropper Fall upon their knees before her
And you’re climbing up the ladder Raise their voices to implore her
On the danger list Just to look their way
This is the moment to beware
For she is pretty, she is witty
Beware, take care She has big brown eyes
And don’t give way to your vanity And several features quite remarkable in shape and size
Beware, take care And that’s exactly where they say
When you are quite sure you must be right The fatal fascination lies
That’s when you are about to drop a dreadful clanger
And you’re climbing up the ladder When Miss Delilah goes a-walkin’
On the danger list All the fellers start talkin’
This is the moment to beware Even whistlin’ and shoutin’
As she takes her little outin’
All lyrics © 1976 Novello and Company For she is the sweetest, neatest girl in town

SWINGIN’ SAMSON Narrator

A Cantata in Popular Style for Unison Voices and Piano In next to no time, Samson and Delilah had become real friends. And
Words and Music by Michael Hurd soon Samson declared he would do anything for her – she had only to
ask. And when she heard this, Delilah pointed to his long hair and said:
Chorus
[23] Samson was a hero in the days of old Chorus
The spirit of the Lord had made him bold [25] Samson cut your hair
The muscles in his arm stood out like iron bands You want to be with it but you’re really square
And he had big hands Be guided by this golden rule

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At your age, man, you should play it cool He’s the baldest man in town

Samson, shave your nut Narrator

You’re in the height of fashion but Now that Samson had lost his hair, he not only looked his age but he
According to the teenage plan also began to feel it. He grew weaker and weaker and soon the
It don’t look good on a middle-aged man Philistines were able to catch him and bind him fast. This time he could
not escape.
Samson, go to the barbers
Tell him he must cut those curls Chorus
Beside the dirt it harbours [27] Weak as a kitten and mild as a ham
It ain’t appealin’ to the girls Samson is bound in chains
Soft as a mitten and tender as lamb
Samson, trim that beard Hors de combat, oh what a tragedy
I don’t dig men that look so weird All because of a female snare
You’re too way out for me and so I say Lost his grip when he lost all his hair
That hairy head my dear has had its day Walked right into the tiger’s lair
Samson bound in chains (altogether now)
Samson, though you’re strong you’ll Weak as a kitten &c
Never admit it but your hair is too long
I know you think me rather cruel Narrator
But frankly man you just look a fool The Philistines were so pleased with themselves that they decided to
throw a party. Everybody was invited and everybody came – for they
Samson, snip it off all wanted to see Samson in his degradation, not to mention Delilah in
You think you’re smart and quite the toff her glory. It was quite an occasion.
In fact you are mistaken man
You look like mutton that’s dressed as lamb Chorus
[28] Everybody came to the Philistines’ party
Samson, make an appointment Everybody came to enjoy the fun
Your coiffure is far from right Dressed in their best, lookin’ hale and hearty
Book now, avoid disappointment There was a partner for everyone
Don’t you know you look a fright Don’t you hear the band a-playin’
Simple tunes in country style
Samson, take my tip There behind a fan lookin’ rather arty
With hair like that you just ain’t hip See Delilah with a great big smile
Of course I’m not complainin’
Yet I say if you don’t dig, Delilah won’t stay Solo
Take your partner by the hand
Narrator
And so, having got the message, Samson did as he was told and sat Speaker
himself down in the barber’s chair. Lead her to the promised land

Chorus Chorus
Clip clip went the clippers Samson standing between two pillars
And the hero’s hair came tumbling down Looks around with a worried frown
Clip clip went the clippers Wonders if with a mighty effort
He the baldest man in town He can bring them tumblin’ down
Up ‘til then he’s been embarrassed
[26] Clip and clip and clip and clip By a growin’ urge to scratch
And clip and clip and clip and clip Suddenly it dawns upon him
And clip and clip and clip and clip He’s been growing a brand new thatch
And clip and clip and clip and clip
Solo
Is there something else that you fancy sir? Swing your partner to a fro
Vibro-massage I hear you say?
Just a little something on it sir? Speaker
Short back and sides have won the day Eeny meeny miney mo

Clip clip went the clippers Chorus

And the hero’s hair came tumblin’ down Samson raises his mighty shoulders
Clip clip went the clippers Finds his strength comin’ back again
He’s the baldest man in town Each and every minute a-growin’ bolder
Not afraid of mice or men
I’m afraid your hair is receding, sir Puts his hands upon the pillars
Wouldn’t you like a nice toupee? Finds them weak and rather thin
Mind the razor! Oh, now you’re bleeding sir Then he lets his dorsal muscles ripple
Here’s the bill you have to pay With a crash the roof falls in !

Clip clip went the clippers Solo

And the hero’s hair came tumblin’ down Turn your partner round about
Clip clip went the clippers

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Speaker Give to these abandoned children

Hallelujah, give a shout A taste of heaven on earth below

Chorus Narrator
That was the end of a swingin’ party It took him seventeen years to make his dream a reality. What he
Went with a bang you could hear for miles needed was a royal charter. But how to get it? A petition was the
Philistines’ friends covered in confusion obvious answer. But who would sign it? He pondered and pondered
Philistines’ enemies wreathed in smiles and then quite suddenly he knew what he must do. He would approach
You can read the Bible story some of the greatest ladies in the land. If they did not refuse him,
Judges fourteen to sixteen surely the gentlemen would follow?
Don’t blame us if our version’s not
As accurate as it might have been Chorus
[30] Eight were duchesses, eight were countesses
Bow to the Lord and sing his praise Five were pretty baronesses
For moving in a mysterious way All signed willingly the petition
Time and again when things go wrong He intended now to bring
He steps right in and has his say And the marvel is a scheme such as his
Never never had been known before
You can lean upon his mercy It was felt to be such a novelty
He will send you the strength you need It would surely please the king
Thus in our song there lies a moral
He who runs may learn to read He began again with the gentlemen
Would they kindly give their blessing?
Amen, amen, amen So persuasive he, they signed readily
All lyrics © 1973 Novello and Company He did not have to wait
Every autograph was a sort of path
CAPTAIN CORAM’S KIDS To the highest councils in the land
An “eighteenth century pop cantata” for Narrator, Unison Voices and With authority thus provided
Piano He begged the privy council name the date
Words and Music by Michael Hurd
Narrator
On October 17th 1739 Thomas Coram received his royal charter. Five
Narrator weeks later the lords and ladies who had signed his petition converged
In the spring of 1722 Captain Coram was a worried man. Since his on Somerset House in the Strand. They were coming to appoint the
retirement he had noticed something about the London streets that governors of the new Foundling Hospital.
distressed him greatly. He began to ask questions:
Chorus
Chorus [31] What is the humming and drumming and thrumming
[29] Who are these abandoned children And who is it coming in coaches and carriages
Lying shivering in the snow? All the nobility in their civility
None to clothe and none to feed them Come with agility into the Strand
Where can these poor children go?
Pushing and heaving and winding and weaving
They are foundlings every one of them It’s quite past believing the hithering and thithering
Leave them lying in the snow Merchants and bankers, no thin lean or lankers
Each an outcast of society All highest of rankers on every hand
Children no-one wants to know
Oh what a clattering, bumping and battering
Shall we in a Christian country Dreadful nerve-shattering kind of occasion
See them brought so sad and low The climbing and clamouring
Offer not a crumb of charity Shoving and hammering
Turn away and answer no? Yelling and stammering of that noble band

Do not waste your time or pity Narrator

Leave them lying in the snow The first Foundling Hospital was a house in Hatton Garden and it
We pronounce them guilty, guilty opened its doors on March 23rd 1741. People came from all over
They must reap the seed they sow London hoping to find a home for children they were too poor to feed.

Narrator Chorus
When he realised what was happening, Captain Coram came to a [32] Take my child take and look after him
decision: Keep him safe and warm
I am too poor to look after him
Chorus Give him food and shield him from all harm
I will help the helpless children
Pluck them crying from the snow Round his neck there is a token
I shall clothe and I shall feed them Token of my love
Find a place where they may go Nothing else I have to give him
Save the prayers I make to heaven above
I will build a Foundling Hospital Where, oh where is his father, far across the sea
Though the going may be slow First he loved then he betrayed me

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HURD, M.: Pop Cantatas - Jonah-Man Jazz / Prodigal / Rooster Rag / Swingin' Samson / Captain Coram's Kids 8.572505
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Leaving naught to help or comfort me Ah, well-a-day is the burden of my song

I have sinned, sinned and repented
Lost in shame and woe Narrator
This is my last loving sacrifice Of course there was never enough money to meet all the Hospital’s
Ah, it breaks my heart to let him go needs and the governors had to devise all sorts of ingenious ways to
raise more. One of them, the painter William Hogarth, decided that it
Narrator would be a good idea to hang paintings on the bare walls in order to
Soon there were more children than the house could hold and in encourage more visitors. Thus the Foundling Hospital became
1745 a brand new building was opened in Bloomsbury. This was to London’s first pubic art gallery. At much the same time, Mr Handel
be the Foundling Hospital for nearly two hundred years and it began to give concerts for the benefit of the Foundlings. They proved
became the fashion to look in and see the children at their daily very popular – even the king came to some of them.
tasks. It made quite a pleasant day out.
Chorus
Chorus [35] Here in the pleasant court room
[33] See the Foundlings at work, how inspiring There are paintings of high degree
What a pretty, pretty sight Placed there by Mister Hogarth
The Foundlings at work, I could stare at them all day They are simply a delight to see
See the Foundlings at work, they’re perspiring Each tells a story, biblical and true
Well, of course it’s only right And each one reminds us what we must do
The Foundlings must work, while the better class of folk see the play To help poor abandoned children
By our love and our charity
See the boys are making ropes for fishermen
And girls are sewing shirts for gentlemen Here in the solemn chapel
And fine household linen for which we shall pay There is music upon the air
What a lovely surprise to observe such a hive of industry Written by Mister Handel
If I just close my eyes will it vanish away ? It will banish every worldly care
It’s a thing we should prize and it’s patently our duty Telling a story biblical and true
To see Coram’s Foundation is here to stay Messiah reminds us what we all must do
To help poor abandoned children
See the things they have made By our love and our charity
Pretty purses, garters, stockings and knitted gloves
The things they have made are a sight to behold Art and music are united in accents rare
Oh the things they have made Acting upon our senses they contrive to banish all our care
Picking oakum, spinning twine and darning socks Soothing our feelings readily and yet
The things they have made must be worth their weight in gold Reminding us that we never should forget
To help all abandoned children
See how tidy, neat and simple is their dress By our love and our charity
How modest is their glance and address
They’ve learned to obey and to do as they’re told Narrator
When he died on March 29th 1751 Captain Coram was a poor man.
Narrator But he left behind him a legacy of infinite value, for his work still goes
Once they had learned a useful skill the Foundlings were apprenticed on. Not in Bloomsbury to be sure, but in the Thomas Coram
to a trade and went to live with their new masters. If they were lucky Foundation Hospital in Hertfordshire. Over the years, thousands of
– and many of them were – they would do well and one day set up in children have had cause to bless his name.
business for themselves.
Chorus
Chorus [36] Captain Coram! ‘E was a gent, an’ no mistake
[34] I am a little Foundling apprenticed to a trade Captain Coram! Give ‘im a great big ‘and
Song o, sing o Didn’t ‘e went an’ saved me life
The work is hard the hours are long Captain Coram! Blimey but ain’t ‘e grand
But I’ve an honest master, the premium is paid For no-one loved or cared for me
Ah, well-a-day is the burden of my song Now I’m ‘appy, don’t yer see
Captain Coram! Is ‘e a saint or is ‘e not
No father, no mother to guide and comfort me Captain Coram! Best man in the land
Sing o, sing o
The work is hard the hours are long See the beggars in the street
The Hospital my home or a beggar I should be Aching ‘earts and aching feet
Ah, well-a-day is the burden of my song Nowhere they can lay their ‘ead
Paving stones their only bed
Oh, I shall be a free man when I’m twenty-four
Sing o, sing o You may think the times ‘ave gone
The work is hard the hours are long When such things were going on
With wife and home and children Look around you, it is plain
I could not ask for more Though we change we stay the same
Ah, well-a-day is the burden of my song
Captain Coram! Took to ‘im like a duck I did
Come all you Foundling children, attend to what I say Captain Coram! Saved me from being damned
Sing o, sing o Captain Coram! Gave me an ‘ome when just a kid
The work is hard the hours are long Captain Coram! Just look at what ‘e planned
Be diligent and honest, you may earn your pay

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HURD, M.: Pop Cantatas - Jonah-Man Jazz / Prodigal / Rooster Rag / Swingin' Samson / Captain Coram's Kids 8.572505
http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.572505

Oh, ‘e was nippy, ‘e was fly

Now he’s ‘appy, so am I
Captain Coram! Is ‘e an ‘ero, yes ‘e is
Captain Coram! We are yer loyal band

Some believe what they’ve been told

London’s streets are paved with gold
But the fable’s far from true
What can these poor creatures do

Finding they have less than nowt

They become the down and out
Do not scorn but lend an ‘and
Do as Captain Coram planned

Captain Coram! Sing we ‘is praises every day

Captain Coram’s famous throughout the land
Captain Coram! What can we say that ain’t been said
Captain Coram! Give ‘im a great big, give ‘im a great big
Give ‘im a great big, great big, great big ‘and

All lyrics © 1989 Novello and Company

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