Often there is an historical context for nursery rhymes - whether securely or loosely based on fact or as the result of local or urban mythology, passed down through the generations.
In this collection, I've taken a handful of favourite nursery rhymes with a royal theme and reinterpreted them in the way that appeals most to my imagination.
I hope you enjoy playing them as much as I did writing them!
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For Jovanni-Rey V de Pedro whose brilliant renditions give life to my music
Track List & Recordings
1. Those Fiddlers Three
Old King Cole was a merry old soul, And really, who wouldn't be?!! We can only surmise What he smoked in his pipe And the truth of his fiddlers three ...
Truly I jest, for the subject of our tale Was blessed with finer needs Music poured from the walls Of his banqueting halls And heralded battlery!
Advanced Level
Associate Diploma AMEB/ANZCA
Licentiate Diploma ABRSM
3. All the King's Horses
When you're the king and in charge of defence It's never too clever to sit on the fence As poor Humpty found to infamy eternal Watch out for your back with your generals and colonels!
Advanced Level
8th Grade AMEB/ANZCA
Associate Diploma ABRSM
5. And He Marched Them Down Again
The grand old Duke of York Wasn't great at strategy Let his army down Ditched his wife and found Solace in debauchery!
Advanced Level
Associate Diploma AMEB/ANZCA
Licentiate Diploma ABRSM
2. Sweet Lavender
Lavender's blue - or more purple I think And this song isn't really about queens and kings But courting and passion have plenty in common With right royal hijinks midst times long forgotten ...
Advanced Level
Associate Diploma AMEB/ANZCA
Licentiate Diploma ABRSM
4. A Pocketful of Jazz
Sing a song of sixpence for a pocketful of jazz Crying monks and royal drunks make for great pizzazz Tear apart the churches, rob them of their bling Lose the wife (just take her life) and lo! A happy king!
Early Advanced - Advanced Level
7th - 8th Grade AMEB/ANZCA
8th Grade - Associate Diploma ABRSM
Endnote ...
Now, you might think all these nobles Have the edge on foolish foibles But there's nought so reviled As complacence and pride So be humble, wise and loyal!
