VOCAL TEXTS

Part 1: In a Time of Plague London, 1665

We the Spirits of the Air (Purcell)

We the Spirits of the air

That of human things take care;

Out of pity now descend,

To forewarn what woes attend.

Greatness clog’d with scorn decays,

with the slave no Empire stays.

We the spirits of the air…

Cease to languish then in vain,

since never to be lov’d again.

We the spirits of the air…

If I Were a Blackbird (traditional Scottish Ayre)

If I were a blackbird, the winds ’neath my wings,

I would follow the vessel my true love sails in.

In the top rigging, I’d there build my nest.

I’d flutter my wings o’er her lily-white breast.

My words they are simple, my story is true.

Though once I was carefree my own path to choose,

I courted a lassie, so young and so fair.

But now she has left me, her death my despair.

She followed me gladly to Donnybrook faire*.

I bought her fine ribbons to tie in her hair.

She offered to marry and stay by my side.

But by the next morning she’d sailed with the tide.

If I were a blackbird…

*Donnybrook Fair was a fair held in Donnybrook, Dublin, from the 13th century until the 1850s.

The Death of Queen Jane (English Renaissance Ballad)

Queen Jane lay in labor full nine days or more

Till her women grew weary, and the midwives gave o’er.

“Good women,” she cried out, “Good women as you be

Will you open my right side and find my babie.”

“Queen Jeanie, Queen Jeanie,” the women did cry,

“Do not ask us to do this, for then you would die.”

They sent for King Henry to come with great speed

To be with Queen Jane in her hour of need.

At last came King Henry, sat by her bedside,

“What aileth thee, Jeanie? what aileth my bride?”

“Oh Henry, oh Henry, will you do one thing for me?

Will you open my right side and find my babie.”

“Oh no,” cried King Henry,

“That’s a thing I cannot do.

If I lose the flower of England, I shall lose the branch too.”

“Queen Jeanie, Queen Jeanie,” the women said too,

“To rip up your right side, we never shall do.”

Oh there should ha’ been dancin’ at this baby’s birth,

But poor Queen Jane beloved, she lay cold in the earth.

So black was the mourning, so yellow was the bed.

So costly the white robes Queen Jane were wrapped in.

Six men went before her, and carried her along.

King Henry he followed with his black mourning on.

King Henry he wept till his hands were wrung sore.

The flower of England shall flourish no more.

They mourned in the kitchen, and they mourned in the hall,

But royal King Henry mourned langest of all:

Farewell to fair England, farewell for evermore!

For the fair flower of England will shine never-more.

Part 2: We Shall Rise Again: Americans in the Civil War, 1865

Cluck Old Hen (traditional Southern barn dance)

My old hen, she’s a good old hen,

She lays eggs for the railroad men.

Sometimes one, sometimes ten,

She lays enough eggs for the railroad men.

Cluck old hen, cluck and sing,

Ain’t laid an egg since way last spring.

Cluck old hen, cluck and squall,

Ain’t laid an egg since way last fall.

My old hen, she won’t do,

She lays eggs and ‘taters too.

Sometimes one, sometimes two,

Sometimes enough for the whole darn crew.

Cluck old hen, cluck and sing,

She ain’t laid an egg since way last spring.

Cluck old hen, cluck and shout,

She ain’t laid an egg ‘cause she can’t get it out.

Three Spirituals:

Go March Along (traditional Southern Spiritual)

Go march along, I will see you again.

Go march along, I will see you on that Judgment Day.

My mother’s gone to glory.

I will see her again, I will see her again.

Go march along, I will see you on that Judgment Day.

Death Come to My House He Didn’t Stay Long (traditional Negro Spiritual)

Hallelu, oh my Lord!

I’m gonna see my mother again.

Death come to my house, he didn’t stay long.

I looked on the bed, and my mother was gone.

I’m gonna see my mother again, Hallelu!

Death come to my house, he didn’t stay long.

I looked on the bed, and my father was gone.

I’m gonna see my father again, Hallelu!

Oh Freedom (traditional Negro Spiritual)

Oh freedom, oh freedom over me!

And before I’d be a slave I’ll be buried in my grave,

And go home to my Lord and be free.

No more moaning, no more moaning over me!

And before I’d be a slave…

There’ll be singing, there’ll be singing over me.

And before I’d be a slave…

Wade in the Water (traditional Negro Spiritual)

Wade in the water, children!

God’s gonna trouble the water.

Who’s that young girl dressed in red?

Must be the children that Moses led.

Who’s that young girl dressed in white?

Must be the children of the Israelite.

Who’s that young girl dressed in blue?

Must be the children that’s coming through.

Wade in the water, children!

God’s gonna trouble the water.

What Wondrous Love (Southern Folk hymn) Source: The Southern Harmony, 1840 ed.

What wondrous love is this,

Oh, my soul! oh, my soul!

What wondrous love is this

That caused the lord of bliss

To bear the dreadful curse

For my soul, for my soul,

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down.

When I was sinking down

Beneath God’s righteous frown,

Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

Ye winged seraphs, fly!

Bear the news.

Ye winged seraphs, fly

Like comets through the sky!

Fill vast eternity with the news!

And when from Death we’re free, we’ll sing on.

And when from Death we’re free,

We’ll sing and joyful be.

And through eternity we’ll sing on.