
Four children's songs
2024 - two part children's choir and piano c.12'
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​Words by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
I - The Lamplighter (c.2.50')
II - The Rain (c.3.20')
III - The Moon (c.3.40')
IV - The Wind (c.3.40')
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These pieces are settings of four poems from Robert Louis Stevenson's A Garden of Children's Verses. My aim was to write new works for children's choir that were accessible but engaging and challenging for young singers. The melodic material is informed by Scottish folk music and the piano accompaniment supports the voices throughout. There are versions available for single voice or single part choir, or two partoith occasional divisi into three parts.




III - The Moon
The moon has a face like the clock in the hall;
She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
On streets and fields and harbour quays,
And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.
The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
The howling dog by the door of the house,
The bat that lies in bed at noon,
All love to be out by the light of the moon.
But all of the things that belong to the day
Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
And flowers and children close their eyes
Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.
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I - The Lamplighter
My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky;
It’s time to take the window to see *Leerie going by;
For every night at teatime and before you take your seat,
With lantern and with ladder he comes posting up the street.
Now Tom would be a driver and Maria go to sea,
And my papa’s a banker and as rich as he can be;
But I, when I am stronger and can choose what I’m to do,
Oh Leerie, I’ll go round at night and light the lamps with you!
For we are very lucky, with a lamp before the door,
And Leerie stops to light it as he lights so many more;
And O! before you hurry by with ladder and with light,
O Leerie, see a little child and nod to him tonight!
*Leerie - Scots word meaning lamplighter
II - The Rain
The rain is raining all around, It falls on field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here, And on the ships at sea.
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IV - The Wind
I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass--
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all--
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
Performances/Recordings
This piece is yet to be premiered. If you are interested in premiering this piece please do get in touch for performance materials. Demo recording performed by Fergus Hall and Lea Shaw. Demos are recorded slightly lower than the final scores.
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I - The Lamplighter
II - The Rain
III - The Moon
IV - The Wind