James Whitcomb Riley Frederick George Scott "On an American Soldier Fallen in France"....Clinton "Uriel" (In memory of William Vaughn Moody). Percy MacKaye CHAPTER IV THE SONG: SACRED AND SECULAR The song is a short lyric poem which differs from the other forms in that it is intended, primarily, to be sung. It has that particular melodious quality required by the singing voice. Songs are either sacred or secular. The sacred songs include hymns, anthems, and oratorios. The secular songs may have any theme or emotion. Burns is called the greatest song-writer of the world because of the number, variety, and quality of his songs. Some of the finest songs that we have are strewn through Shakespeare's plays. Thomas Moore, Tennyson, Longfellow, and Eugene Field are also noted song-writers. Although our song-writers are not, as a general thing, poets, yet many of our poets have written songs.1 The best songs were composed to music instead of adapted to it. SOME SONGS FROM SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS Thorough bush, thorough brier, In those freckles live their savours. I must go seek some dewdrop here, And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear. 10 1 Since there are few school buildings now that do not include at least one phonograph in their equipment, it is suggested that a musical program be given in place of the regular English lesson. Songs should be felt, not studied. And birds sit brooding in the snow, And Marian's nose looks red and raw, Tu-whit! tu-who! a merry note, From As YOU LIKE IT Blow, blow, thou winter wind! Thou art not so unkind As man's ingratitude; Thy tooth is not so keen, Because thou art not seen, Although thy breath be rude. Heigh ho! sing, heigh ho! unto the green holly: Then, heigh ho, the holly! This life is most jolly. Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky! That dost not bite so nigh As benefits forgot; Though thou the waters warp, Thy sting is not so sharp As friend remembered not. Heigh ho! sing, heigh ho! unto the green holly: 15 5 10 15 4 20 5 |