Baby Song Of The Four Winds
Chester Biscardi
About this work:
"Baby Song of the Four Winds," for mezzo-soprano or soprano and piano (1994) - mezzo [(G#3 - optional low) A3 - F5); soprano transposed M3 [C4 - A5]
Text: Carl Sandburg
Published by Biscardi Music Press (B48 number) and distributed by Classical Vocal Reprints (CVR number): mezzo-soprano (original) version: No. B48-94-1a No. CVR3613; soprano version: No. B48-94-1b No. CVR3614
Recorded: Songs & Encores, Bridge 9199 (Judith Bettina, soprano, and James Goldsworthy, piano)
This lullaby is from the point of view of the baby, who invites the four winds to be his companions. The gentle south and west winds play with him. Unpredictable, the north wind wakes him up to life. The tranquil east wind brings comfort to this cycle of wakefulness and sleep. This work celebrates the birth of Colin Graham Everett, son of Carole and C. J. Everett.
BABY SONG OF THE FOUR WINDS
Let me be your baby, south wind.
Rock me, let me rock, rock me now.
Rock me low, rock me warm.
Let me be your baby.
Comb my hair, west wind.
Comb me with a cowlick.
Or let me go with a pompadour.
Come on, west wind, make me your baby.
North wind, shake me where I’m foolish.
Shake me loose and change my ways.
Cool my ears with a blue sea wind.
I’m your baby, make me behave.
And you, east wind, what can I ask?
A fog comfort? A fog to tuck me in?
Fix me so and let me sleep.
I’m your baby--and I always was.
from Good Morning, America (1928)
Carl Sandburg
“Baby Song of the Four Winds” from Good Morning, America 1928 and renewed 1956 by Carl Sandburg, performed by permission of Harcourt Brace & Company.
Version: mezzo-soprano and soprano versions
Year composed: 1994
Duration: 00:03:00
Ensemble type: Voice, Solo or With Chamber or Jazz Ensemble:Solo Voice with Keyboard
Instrumentation: 1 Piano, 1 Mezzo-Soprano
Instrumentation notes: Mezzo-Soprano (original) and Soprano versions