Let's Make The Water Turn Black (arr. James M. Guthrie) Sheet Music | Frank Zappa | String Quartet
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Let's Make The Water Turn Black (arr. James M. Guthrie) Digital Sheet Music
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Let's Make The Water Turn Black (arr. James M. Guthrie)by Frank Zappa String Quartet - Digital Sheet Music

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Score: 6 pages. Duration: 1:55

Frank Zappa's song "Let's Make the Water Turn Black" is a humorous and thought-provoking track from his 1967 album, Absolutely Free. The song tells the story of two young boys, Jimmy and Johnny, who decide to make a "magic potion" by mixing a variety of items from their household, such as soap and kerosene, into a bucket of water. They then watch in awe as the water turns black, leading them to believe they've made a powerful concoction. 


The lyrics of the song provide an interesting commentary on how adults view the imaginative ideas of children. While the boys in the song are captivated by their experiment, the narrator expresses a more cynical view of the situation, noting that the adults around them are too busy to care and are more concerned with "what is real". 


The music itself is upbeat and whimsical, with Zappa's signature use of horns, drums, and electric guitar, creating a soundscape that captures the boys' enthusiasm and innocence. Despite the silliness of the lyrics, the song's underlying message about the power of imagination and the importance of taking children seriously is still relevant today.

This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.