A Request for the Flutist
Tell us, please, dear flutist
What shall we hear today?
Baroque, modern, classical?
Don't hesitate to play!
Something light and merry
Bring heart and soul to dance
Then we'll raise a hearty toast
If you give us a chance
Caress your peaceful magic flute
For Mozart we'd be keen
Adagio ma non troppo?
K. three hundred thirteen?*
Bring the harp and violin
Their chairs have been reserved
A concerto's always welcome!
Forthwith, art will be served!
A song for our St. Nicholas
With our tea and cake
A tune for the grey Bishop
Let Piet sing for the break!
Like children, we anticipate
A thrilling, pretty sound
With the love of a new mother
Play us another round
This month enriched by music
With spirit and with cheer
In New York and Amsterdam
IJ and Hudson we hold dear!
Serenade like winged bird
Blow your sacred tone
With lust for life, we're listening
We're thrilled straight to the bone!
***
Theo J. van Joolen©2012
***
*Kochel [K.] 313 by Mozart
**Zwaarte Piet. Black Peter, St. Nicholaes' servant. I don't know if he carried a song book, but he did hand out a lot of candy and gifts, so he might as well have been a song leader
***
Original Dutch Version of this Poem
Side-by-Side Translations
What shall we hear today?
Baroque, modern, classical?
Don't hesitate to play!
Something light and merry
Bring heart and soul to dance
Then we'll raise a hearty toast
If you give us a chance
Caress your peaceful magic flute
For Mozart we'd be keen
Adagio ma non troppo?
K. three hundred thirteen?*
Bring the harp and violin
Their chairs have been reserved
A concerto's always welcome!
Forthwith, art will be served!
A song for our St. Nicholas
With our tea and cake
A tune for the grey Bishop
Let Piet sing for the break!
Like children, we anticipate
A thrilling, pretty sound
With the love of a new mother
Play us another round
This month enriched by music
With spirit and with cheer
In New York and Amsterdam
IJ and Hudson we hold dear!
Serenade like winged bird
Blow your sacred tone
With lust for life, we're listening
We're thrilled straight to the bone!
***
Theo J. van Joolen©2012
***
*Kochel [K.] 313 by Mozart
**Zwaarte Piet. Black Peter, St. Nicholaes' servant. I don't know if he carried a song book, but he did hand out a lot of candy and gifts, so he might as well have been a song leader
***
Original Dutch Version of this Poem
Side-by-Side Translations
Mozart - Concerto for Flute and Orchestra G-dur K 313 (285C) Emmanuel Pahud