December 31 - Jule Styne (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Jule Styne (31 December 1905 – 20 September 1994) was a British-American composer of popular songs and Broadway musicals.

[For last year's entries on John Denver and Donna Summer click here.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Party’s (not) Over

Raise an obelisk or shrine

And sing the praise of Jule Styne!

Praise can hardly be excessive

For a canon so impressive.

Which is why we find his name

In a couple Halls of Fame.

Extroverted or subdued,

There’s a song for every mood.

Give your voice some exercise and

Sing along with Barbara Streisand. 

Or in light of what you’re planning

Sing along with Carol Channing.

If a Vegas mood has got ya

Sing along with Frank Sinatra.

Feeling sad, or feeling fine

Sing along with Jule Styne!

 

 

 

 

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December 30 - (Mary) Frances Allitsen (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

(Mary) Frances Allitsen (30 December 1848 – 1 October 1912) was an an English composer.

[For last year's musings on Paul Bowles click here.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name Game

“The Lord is My Light” embodied the height

Of what the Victorians thought was right.

 

The composer avoided a choir loft rumpus

By changing her name (she was born Mary Bumpus).

She altered her name for decorum, and then

Was known as Frances Allitsen.

 

Bumpus, you see, would be vulgar and garish

When read in reports of the news from the parish.

 

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]

 

 

 

December 29 - Pablo Casals (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Pablo Casals (29 December 1876 – 22 October 1973) was a world-renowned cellist.

 [For last year's verse on Pablo Casals click here.] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dignity, Always Dignity

Are bobblehead dolls

Of Pablo Casals

     A thing one can buy?

I doubt it.

A bobblehead doll

Isn’t highbrow at all --

     Let’s honor the guy

Without it.

 

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]

 

 

 

December 28 - Calixa Lavalée (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Calixa Lavallée (28 December 1842 – 21 January 1891) was a French-Canadian-American musician and Union Army band musician during the American Civil War who composed "O Canada."

 [For last year's verse on Roger Sessions and Earl Hines click here.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both Sides Now

The National Anthem Act established set lyrics for "O Canada" in Canada's two official languages, English and French. -- Wikipedia

Under the federal Holidays Act, Canada Day is observed on July 1… -- Wikipedia

“O Canada,” by Lavallée

Is sung by those up north

To celebrate the nation’s day

(July the First, not Fourth).

Canadians, who like to sing

With sturdy voice and lungs,

Must even learn to sing the thing

In both official tongues.

 

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]

 

 

December 27 - Anna Russell (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Series)

Anna Russell (27 December 1911 – 18 October 2006) was an English–Canadian singer and comedian. 

[For last year's  post on Marlene Dietrich click here.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m Not Making This Up You Know

Anna Russell (gotta love her),

Had a mission to uncover

All the silliest pretensions

Of our musical conventions.

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]