Saturday, November 03, 2007

Lullabies

No, no, I can't stop.

You were hoping I'd get away from classical music, weren't you? But I need only a couple of more posts so that I can add a Music is Good category to my sidebar.

That way Kelly Clarkson, Katrina and the Hurricanes, Scarlatti, Respighi, and maybe B.B. King can all hang out together here at ENT. Oh, had they blogged, the things they'd have said!

Anyway, on my way to work the other day I heard a rocking Brahms Violin Concerto in D on WFMT and said to myself,

Surely there's something racy to report on Brahms.

For example, wasn't he the guy who wrote the lullaby? Indeed he was. And he's still popular!

I like this version of the lullaby the best:
And even in Las Vegas they understand that without the lullaby, nobody would ever get to sleep!

Lullaby and good night, with roses bedight
With lilies o'er spread is baby's wee bed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed

Lullaby and good night, thy mother's delight
Bright angels beside my darling abide
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
Further verses from various sources may be added to lengthen the lullaby:
Sleepyhead, close your eyes, mother's right here beside you.
I'll protect you from harm, you will wake in my arms.
Guardian angels are near, so sleep on, with no fear.
Guardian angels are near, so sleep on, with no fear.
Lullaby, and sleep tight, hush! My darling is sleeping,
On his sheets white as cream, with his head full of dreams.
When the sky's bright with dawn, he will wake in the morning
When noontide warms the world, he will frolic in the sun.
These days the kids would probably prefer to hear it this way:



So I've decided that it's time for a revival of the lullaby.

I thought of a kid with bi-polar disorder (not my diagnosis, I inherited the case) who couldn't sleep at night without listening to CDs. This was before Ipods. Her father didn't like that she couldn't go to sleep without music, and I had to convince him it was a good thing, listening to music, much better than raising her medication.

That case worked out just fine. But I feel that in our hyper-caffeinated world, it really is time to revive the lullaby.

So send in your suggestions.
But not this one, okay?
Rock a 'bye baby, in the tree top
When the wind blows the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall
And down will come baby cradle and all.
Who thought it up? Very dark, if you ask me.

I looked it up and both author and copyright are unknown. The rest of the lyrics are a little more positive, however,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Your cradle is green,
Father's a King
And Mother's a queen.
Sister’s a Lady
And wears a gold ring,
Brother's a drummer
And plays for the king.

Rock-a-bye baby,
Way up on high,
Never mind baby,
Mother is 'nigh
Up to the ceiling,
Down to the ground,
Rock-a-bye baby,
Up hill and down.
Actually, I have no idea WHAT that means.

But before we end this post, just a little background on Johannes Brahms. His musical family struggled financially, and since he showed early talent, Brahms supplemented the family income by playing piano in restaurants, theaters, and piano bars. Some of the bars doubled as brothels. I think of the Wild West.

For awhile Brahms played the cello, but his teacher ran off with his instrument.

He apparently had a hugely affectionate relationship with Clara Schumann, wife of the acclaimed composer Robert Schumann. When I mentioned that to FD, he said (flailing his arms excitedly)
EVERYONE adored Clara Schumann. They WANTED her!

So you see, classical musicians were people too, and they played real songs. Brahms wrote some truly beautiful ones.

I don't think you have to be Type A to know what I mean.

therapydoc


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are singing a movement from the Brahms Requiem tomorrow morning.

This is the first time I've sung Brahms. I've played it. And conducted it. And listened to it, of course. But never sung it before.

Quite a different experience. Richer, somehow to make his music with my own body than when through an instrument.

therapydoc said...

How great that you can do both! And conduct!

come running said...

Now run along home
and jump into bed
say your prayers
and cover your head
the very same thing
I say unto you
you dream of me dear
and I'll dream of you.

One of my favorites, my mother used to sing it to me and now I sing it to DB.

therapydoc said...

Thanks so much!

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