To An Oriole, A Sense of Place, Track 2

Baltimore Oriole, Wikipedia

The lyrics for To An Oriole is a poem sent to me by a fellow Earth Literacy grad, Bruce Allen, from St Mary-of-the-Woods College, IN. Bruce is also a weekend farmer, birder, and all around good guy.
He sent me the verse, telling me it was his all-time favorite poem and wondered if I might set it to music. He had several of my CDs and asked if I could provide a suitable melody for the words written over a century ago by Edgar Fawcett.

I am always reluctant to take on this kind of a project for several reasons. First, it is hard to live up to others' expectations of what a melody might be for a favorite verse.  Secondly, it can be a copyright nightmare if you do not have a direct relationship with the co-writer.  Clearly, the long deceased Mr. Fawcett, would not be able to protest my adoption of his succinct verse about he ethereal wonder of his favorite bird. My research showed the writings he had authored had all aged into the Public Domain.  I was encouraged to continue.

So I spent some hours at the piano noodling with steps and jumps of melody possibilities until his words began to speak to me with their own cadence, with pauses and lilting questions. The words themselves took command and TOLD me how to write the melody.  Thank you, Bruce.  Thank you, Mr. Fawcett.   And thank you, Beautiful Oriole.

Listening Clip, Track 2

WHO is that harmonica player? Sense of Place liner notes

 Enjoy! Detour Road, Track 1
There is a new player on this project.  He is making his harmonica recording debut.  He is 83 years young and only began playing "the harp" about 4 years ago.  He has a natural sense of melody and crouches and sways when he plays, just like an seasoned old blues player!  He is my best friend and husband of...MANY years.  Introducing  Richard Rouse on his first record release, blowing along on Detour Road.

Nearly 10 years ago I got an email from Indiana farmer/scholar/birder/listener of my music, Bruce Allen. He asked if I would consider writing music to his favorite piece of poetry, To An Oriole, by Edgar Fawcett.  He sent me the poem and what he knew about the author (1847-1904).  It sat at my piano for months while I checked to ascertain if it was in the public domain to allow me to work with it. As I read it over and over, I was touched by the creativity of the poet and wondered how I could ever make it into a song. It emerged like a tiny baby bird chippping its way out of the shell, then it stretched its little wet wings to dry and strengthen for a flight out into the world.

To An Oriole, in its form as (what we used to call) an Art Song, is included on A Sense of Place as a sort of Breathing Space.  I hope it wings its way into your heart, as did the original poem.  Thank you, Bruce, for trusting your favorite poem to my muse.   More about this in next post!