Product Description
The origins of this lullaby can be traced back to 15th-century
England. Pioneers from the British Isles brought it with them to the
American Appalachians. Written in three verses, its lyrics tell of four
seemingly impossible gifts the singer "gave my love." The first verse
describes each gift: "cherry that has no stone," "a chicken that has no
bone." "a story that has no end" and "a baby with no cryin'." The second
verse poses the riddle: how can such items exist? The third provides the
answers:
A cherry when it's bloomin', it has no stone.
A chicken when it's pippin', it has no bone.
The story of I love you, it has no end.
A baby when it's sleepin', has no cryin'.
This "Riddle Song" has enjoyed somewhat of a revival since mid-20th century, making appearances in various movies, TV shows and
recordings. In 1956, Jerry Livingston and Paul Francis adapted "The Riddle
Song" tune, added an original bridge and created new lyrics; Johnny Mathis
recorded it as "The Twelfth of Never," giving the haunting melody probably
its greatest surge in popularity.
This arrangement is in G major and opens with an upbeat introduction. For
the first statement of the melody, tempo slows and Trumpets alternate the
lead. On the second time through, tempo speeds up slightly and tuba takes
the lead. For the third, tempo is back to the opening speed and Horn in F
plays the melody. On the fourth time through, Trumpets and Trombone frame
the tune in a call-and-response form. In the fifth, Trombone takes the
lead. In the sixth and final statement, Horn in F and Trombone play melody
at half speed while Trumpets play a fairly complicated counterpoint (at
what may seem like double speed!). This, until the last phrase ("A baby
when it's sleepin'"), when the melody switches over to Trumpets and
Trombone takes the counterpoint.
Trumpet 1 plays its A above the staff a number of times. Tuba's lowest note
is its F down below the staff. Otherwise, notes for all instruments are
well within normal playing range. Because of the recommended tempo, the
countermelody at measures 68-83 could be problematic for Trumpets and
Trombone and may require a little extra work.
Completed in 2022, performance time runs about 3 minutes, 42 seconds. The
arranger, Les Smith, will be happy to provide substitute parts (for
example, treble clef baritone for trombone) at no charge. He would like to
receive your suggestions, comments, corrections and criticisms. For more
arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation
marks) in the Sheet Music Plus or Sheet Music Direct search box. (Also,
purchase of this piece entitles you to your choice of another of his
arrangements at no charge; send a copy of your purchase receipt directly to
him at lessmith61@bellsouth.net.)
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.