Amazing grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

16. “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” is one of the most famous songs that Robert Burns wrote and first published in 1794. Burns wrote it as a traditional ballad, four verses of four lines each. Burns referred to it as a “simple old Scots song which I had picked up in the country.”

The lyrics of the song are simple but effective. “My luve's like a red, red rose/That's newly sprung in June” describe a love that is both fresh and long lasting. David Daiches in his work describes Burns as “the greatest songwriter Britain has produced” for his work in improving traditional Scots songs including "Red, Red Rose" which he described as a “combination of tenderness and swagger.”

Burns worked for the final ten years of his life on projects to preserve traditional Scottish songs for the future.

A red, red rose

(Words by Robert Burns)

O my Luve's like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June; O my Luve's like the melodie That’s sweetly play'd in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I: And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry: Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun: I will luve thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run. And fare thee weel, my only Luve And fare thee weel, a while! And I will come again, my Luve, Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

Перевод д. Тим

1.

Любовь моя – как роза с цветущего куста! Без фальши и без позы - как песенка проста! Сколь ты собой прекрасна - верна любовь моя, и смерти неподвластна, - хоть высохнут моря! Пусть высохнут все воды, рассыплется гранит!.. Пусть жизнь считает годы, - душа любовь хранит! Иду вслед за судьбою, но знай, что в бурю, в штиль, чтоб снова быть с тобою - пройду сто тысяч миль!

2. Прекрасней красных свежих роз цветёт любовь во мне! Звучит мотивом сладких грёз в настроенной струне! Сколь ты сверкаешь красотой – в любви столь крепок я! Любовь к тебе – всегда со мной, хоть высохнут моря! Пусть высохнут моря вокруг, сотрутся камни гор, - любовь останется, мой друг, - она прочней всего! И не прощаюсь я теперь! Вернусь к тебе опять – хоть десять тысяч миль, поверь, пришлось бы прошагать!

***

LECTURE 26: MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

• The History of American Music

• Folk Music of the USA

• American Songs

The United States is often said to be a cultural melting pot consisting of numerous ethnic groups. Many of these peoples have kept alive the folk traditions of their homeland, often producing American styles music.

American music can be traced back to specific origins. Elements of foreign music arrived in the United States include West African music through slavery, and Irish music through immigration.

By the 19th century, African American folk traditions were well-known and widespread, and African American musical techniques and instruments became a part of American music through spirituals and slave songs. African American musical styles became an integral part of American popular music through blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and then rock and roll, soul and hip hop.

Folk music in the US is varied across the country’s numerous ethnic groups. The Native American tribes play their own varieties of folk music, most of it spiritual in nature. African American music includes blues and gospel. West African music brought to the USA by slaves and mixed with Western European music. During the colonial era, English, French and Spanish styles and instruments were brought to America. By the early 20th century, the United States had become a major center for folk music from around the world, including Ukrainian and Polish music, Jewish music and several kinds of Latin music.

Traditional instrumentations uses the flute and many kinds of percussion instruments, like drums, rattles and shakers.

The Thirteen Colonies of the original United States were all former English possessions, and Anglo culture became a major foundation for American folk and popular music.

The first European settlers in America were English speaking. They brought their language, their customs and their skills. They also brought their songs. Many American folk songs are identical to British songs in arrangements, but with new lyrics. Anglo-American traditional music also includes a variety of ballads, humorous stories, and disaster songs regarding mining, shipwrecks and murder.

1. “Jingle Bells” is one of the best known and commonly sung winter songs in the world.

Jingle Bells, one of the most famous American Christmas songs, was originally written for Thanksgiving. The author and composer of Jingle Bells was a minister James Lord Pierpoint who composed the song in 1857 for children celebrating his Boston Sunday School Thanksgiving. The song was so popular that it was repeated at Christmas. A traditional Christmas is captured in the lyrics of Jingle Bells and the sound effects using the bells have become synonymous with the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus to the delight of children of all ages.

The word “jingle” means a certain kind of bell. The narrator takes a ride with a girl and loses control of the sleigh. He falls out of the sleigh and a rival laughs at him. And he gives advice to a friend, who then picks up some girls, finds a faster horse, and takes off at full speed.