Sometimes we sing of attachment.

Special thanks to Diane and Lloyd. We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did.

Find the English translation below.

Lyrics:

Angor

Weithiau pan mae’r gwynt yn chwythu mewn o’r mor.
Weithiau pan mae’r tonnau yn torri wrth fy nôr. 
Dyna pryd dwi  d’angen di. 

Weithiau pan mae’r glaw yn curo ar fy nho. 
Weithiau pan mae’r felan yn fy ngyrri i o ‘ngho. 
Dyna pryd dwi d’angen di. 

Ti ywr graig sydd dan fy nhraed. 
Ti yw’r hafan, fy hafan i. 
Ti yw’r llyw a’th gwrs mor driw. 
Ti yw’r angor, fy angor fi. 

Weithiau pan mae’r lli yn codi uwch fy mhen. 
Weithiau pan mae’r stormydd yn torri drw fy nen, 
Dyna pryd dwi d’angen di.  

Weithiau pan mae’r niwl yn glynnu wrth y tir.
 Weithiau pan mae’n rhwystro ni gyd rhag gweld yn glir. 
Dyna pryd dwi d’angen di. 

Ti ywr llong a’i hwyliau’n llawn.
 Ti ywr ewyn, yr ewyn ar fy nhon. 
Ti ywr cei a ddiwedd dydd, 
Ti ywr angor, fyn angor i. 

English;

Anchor

Sometimes when the wind blows in from the sea.
 Sometimes when the waves break against me. 
That's when I need you.

Sometimes when the rain beats on my roof.
Sometimes when the blues drive me away.
That's when I need you.

You are a rock under my feet.
You are the haven, my haven.
You are the helm and your course is so true. 
You are the anchor, my anchor. 

Sometimes when the linen rises above my head. 
Sometimes when the storms break through my roof. 
That's when I need you.

Sometimes when the fog clings to the land. 
Sometimes when it prevents us all from seeing clearly.
That's when I need you.

You are a ship with full sails. 
You are foam, the foam on my wave.
You are the one who will end the day. 
You are the anchor, my anchor.

Happy Birthday, Helen!

Angor (Tudur Huws Jones - With Diane Roberts And Lloyd Jones - live)

Don Giovanni is an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to an Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. Its subject is a centuries-old Spanish legend about a libertine. It was premiered by the Prague Italian opera at the National Theater (of Bohemia), now called the Estates Theatre, on 29 October 1787.

Madamina, il catalogo è questo" (also known as the Catalogue Aria) is a bass catalogue aria,  sung by Don Giovanni's servant Leporello.
Here transcribed for baritone.

piano accompaniment: Helen Roberts
baritone: Robert Llewellyn

_________________________________

Lyrics:

Madamina, il catalogo è questo
Delle belle che amò il padron mio;
un catalogo egli è che ho fatt'io;
Osservate, leggete con me.

In Italia seicento e quaranta;
In Alemagna duecento e trentuna;
Cento in Francia, in Turchia novantuna;
Ma in Ispagna son già mille e tre.

V'han fra queste contadine,
Cameriere, cittadine,
V'han contesse, baronesse,
Marchesane, principesse.
E v'han donne d'ogni grado,
D'ogni forma, d'ogni età.

Nella bionda egli ha l'usanza
Di lodar la gentilezza,
Nella bruna la costanza,
Nella bianca la dolcezza.

Vuol d'inverno la grassotta,
Vuol d'estate la magrotta;
È la grande maestosa,
La piccina è ognor vezzosa.

Delle vecchie fa conquista
Pel piacer di porle in lista;
Sua passion predominante
È la giovin principiante.

Non si picca – se sia ricca,
Se sia brutta, se sia bella;
Purché porti la gonnella,
Voi sapete quel che fa.

English:

My dear lady, this is the list
Of the beauties my master has loved,
A list which I have compiled.
Observe, read along with me.

In Italy, six hundred and forty;
In Germany, two hundred and thirty-one;
A hundred in France; in Turkey, ninety-one;
But in Spain already one thousand and three.

Among these are peasant girls,
Maidservants, city girls,
Countesses, baronesses,
Marchionesses, princesses,
Women of every rank,
Every shape, every age.

With blondes it is his habit
To praise their kindness;
In brunettes, their faithfulness;
In the white-haired, their sweetness.

In winter he likes fat ones.
In summer he likes thin ones.
He calls the tall ones majestic.
The little ones are always charming.

He seduces the old ones
For the pleasure of adding to the list.
His greatest favourite
Is the young beginner.

It doesn't matter if she's rich,
Ugly or beautiful;
If she wears a skirt,
You know what he does.

Madamina, Il Catalogo È Questo (Don Giovanni - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

So my son gave me a big band for Christmas, and it took me a while to unwrap that gift, but here it is.

"Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home" is a popular song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It was first released in 1946 as part of the musical "St. Louis Woman).

music and production - Gideon Llewellyn

We hope you'll enjoy!

Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home (St. Louis Woman - Arlen / Mercer - Giddy & Rob Jam)

"A Million Dreams" is a song from the 2017 musical drama film "The Greatest Showman", it was written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
The film is a highly fictionalised depiction of the life of P. T. Barnum, a showman and entertainer who created the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and its star attractions.

Special thanks goes to Helen Roberts for helping out with the instrumental arrangement, and for providing the music.

We hope you'll enjoy!

A Million Dreams (The Greatest Showman - Benj Pasek / Justin Paul - with Helen Roberts)

My musical month of may wouldn't be complete without some Andrew Lloyd Webber tune added into the mix, wouldn't it. And as my dear sister remarked, it also wouldn't be quite complete without the Phantom...yea, sure...
So, on special request, I present to you "Till I Hear You Sing", the Phantom's opening song to The Right Honourable Lord Lloyd-Webber's 2010 sequel to his long-runner "The Phantom of the Opera" - "Love Never Dies" - possibly the most unnecessary musical ever, but he sure can write songs.

The music was provided by my dear Helen.

Hopefully you'll enjoy the show :)


For Meg <3

Till I Hear You Sing (Love Never Dies - Andrew Lloyd Webber)

"Erlkönig", Op. 1, D 328, is a Kunstlied composed by Franz Schubert in 1815, which sets Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem of the same name.

piano by Helen Roberts

We hope you'll enjoy our rendition.

Lyrics

Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind?
Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind;
Er hat den Knaben wohl in dem Arm,
Er fasst ihn sicher, er hält ihn warm.

Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang dein Gesicht?"
"Siehst, Vater, du den Erlkönig nicht?
Den Erlenkönig mit Kron' und Schweif?"
"Mein Sohn, es ist ein Nebelstreif."

"Du liebes Kind, komm, geh mit mir!
Gar schöne Spiele spiel' ich mit dir;
Manch' bunte Blumen sind an dem Strand,
Meine Mutter hat manch gülden Gewand."

Mein Vater, mein Vater, und hörest du nicht,
Was Erlenkönig mir leise verspricht?"
"Sei ruhig, bleibe ruhig, mein Kind;
In dürren Blättern säuselt der Wind."
 
Willst, feiner Knabe, du mit mir gehn?
Meine Töchter sollen dich warten schön;
Meine Töchter führen den nächtlichen Reihn,
Und wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein,
Sie wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein."

"Mein Vater, mein Vater, und siehst du nicht dort
Erlkönigs Töchter am düstern Ort?"
"Mein Sohn, mein Sohn, ich seh' es genau:
Es scheinen die alten Weiden so grau."
 
"Ich liebe dich, mich reizt deine schöne Gestalt;
Und bist du nicht willig, so brauch' ich Gewalt."
"Mein Vater, mein Vater, jetzt fasst er mich an!
Erlkönig hat mir ein Leids getan!"

Dem Vater grauset's, er reitet geschwind,
Er hält in Armen das ächzende Kind,
Erreicht den Hof mit Müh' und Not;
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot.

English

Who rides, so late, through night and wind?
It is a father with his child.
He has the boy well in his arm
He holds him safely, he keeps him warm.

"My son, why do you hide your face in fear?"
"Father, do you not see the Erlking?
The Erlking with crown and tail?"
"My son, it is a streak of fog."

"You dear child, come, go with me!
Very lovely games I'll play with you;
Some colorful flowers are on the beach,
My mother has some golden robes."

"My father, my father, and do you not hear
What Erlking quietly promises me?"
"Be calm, stay calm, my child;
The wind is rustling through dry leaves."

"Do you, fine boy, want to go with me?
My daughters shall wait on you finely;
My daughters lead the nightly dance,
And rock and dance and sing you to sleep,
They rock and dance and sing you to sleep."

"My father, my father, and don't you see there
Erlking's daughters in the gloomy place?"
"My son, my son, I see it clearly:
There shimmer the old willows so grey."

"I love you, your beautiful form excites me;
And if you're not willing, then I will use force."
"My father, my father, he's touching me now!
Erlking has done me harm!"

It horrifies the father, he swiftly rides on,
He holds the groaning child in his arms,
Reaches the farm with great difficulty;
In his arms, the child was dead.


artwork by Julius Nisle

Erlkönig (Franz Schubert - with Helen Roberts)

The only bomb that should be acceptable to mankind.

"Sex Bomb" is a song by Welsh singer Tom Jones (you probably waited for this ;)). Performed in collaboration with German DJ and producer Mousse T., it was released in November 1999 on Jones' 34th album "Reload".

Guitar by my son Gideon.
We hope you'll enjoy the show.



Sex Bomb (Tom Jones / Mousse T. - Giddy & Rob Jam)

Don Quichotte à Dulcinée is a song cycle by Maurice Ravel based on the story of Don Quixote. It was composed between the years of 1932 and 1933. The text was written by the librettist Paul Morand.

Piano by Helen Roberts

Lyrics

Chanson Romanesque

Si vous me disiez que la terre
À tant tourner vous offensa,
Je lui dépêcherais Pança:
Vous la verriez fixe et se taire.

Si vous me disiez que l'ennui
Vous vient du ciel trop fleuri d'astres,
Déchirant les divins cadastres,
Je faucherais d'un coup la nuit.

Si vous me disiez que l'espace
Ainsi vidé ne vous plaît point,
Chevalier dieu, la lance au poing.
J'étoilerais le vent qui passe.

Mais si vous disiez que mon sang
Est plus à moi qu'à vous, ma Dame,
Je blêmirais dessous le blâme
Et je mourrais, vous bénissant.

Ô Dulcinée.

English

Romantic song

Were you to tell that the earth
Offended you with so much turning,
I'd dispatch Panza to deal with it:
You'd see it still and silenced.

Were you to tell me that you are wearied
By a sky too studded with stars -
Tearing the divine order asunder,
I'd scythe the night with a single blow.

Were you to tell me that space itself,
Thus denuded was not to your taste -
As a god-like knight, with lance in hand,
I'd sow the fleeting wind with stars.

But were you to tell me that my blood
Is more mine, my Lady, than your own,
I'd pale at the admonishment
And, blessing you, would die.

O Dulcinea.


Artwork by Zurab Martiashvili

Chanson Romanesque (Don Quichotte à Dulcinée - Maurice Ravel - with Helen Roberts)

Let's get real cheesy for two of my favourite people in the world.

Happy 30th anniversary Liz and John!

Lionel Richie 1982

I hope you (all) enjoy 😃

Truly (Lionel Richie Cover)

"Bad Liar" is a song by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons. It was released in 2018 on the band's fourth studio album, Origins. 

Solely natural intelligence was used to create this cover version, and I hope you'll enjoy it :)

Bad Liar (Imagine Dragons cover)

"Suo Gân" (or Huna Blentyn) is a traditional Welsh lullaby by an anonymous composer.
It was first recorded in print around 1800 and the lyrics were captured by the Welsh folklorist Robert Bryan (1858–1920).

The Song was featured in Steven Spielberg's 1987 film "Empire of the Sun", and I used to sing it to my kids :).

Piano by my daughter Awen.

We hope you'll enjoy.


Lyrics:

Huna blentyn ar fy mynwes,
Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon;
Breichiau mam sy'n dynn amdanat,
Cariad mam sy dan fy mron;
Ni chaiff dim amharu'th gyntun,
Ni wna undyn â thi gam;
Huna'n dawel, annwyl blentyn,
Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam.

Huna'n dawel, heno, huna,
Huna'n fwyn, y tlws ei lun;
Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenu,
Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun?
Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu,
Arnat ti yn gwenu'n llon,
Tithau'n gwenu'n ôl dan huno,
Huno'n dawel ar fy mron?

Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen
Gura, gura ar y ddôr;
Paid ag ofni, ton fach unig
Sua, sua ar lan y môr;
Huna blentyn, nid oes yma
Ddim i roddi iti fraw;
Gwena'n dawel yn fy mynwes.
Ar yr engyl gwynion draw.

English

Sleep my darling, on my bosom,
Harm will never come to you;
Mother's arms enfold you safely,
Mother's heart is ever true.
As you sleep there's naught to scare you,
Naught to wake you from your rest;
Close those eyelids, little angel,
Sleep upon your mother's breast.

Sleep, my darling, night is falling
Rest in slumber sound and deep;
I would know why you are smiling,
Smiling sweetly as you sleep?
Do you see the angels smiling
As they see your rosy rest,
So that you must smile an answer
As you slumber on my breast?

Don't be frightened, it's a leaflet
Tapping, tapping on the door;
Don't be frightened, 'twas a wavelet
Sighing, sighing on the shore.
Slumber, slumber, naught can hurt you,
Nothing bring you harm or fright;
Slumber, darling, smiling sweetly
At those angels robed in white.



Suo Gân (Sleep My Child - Welsh Lullaby - Awen and Rob)

Macbeth is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi, with an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave and additions by Andrea Maffei, based on Shakespeare's play of the same name. Written in 1846 it was Verdi's tenth opera and also the first of Shakespeare's plays which he adapted for the operatic stage.

In Act II Macbeth has murdered King Duncan and become king, but plots the murder of Banco and his son Fleance to thwart the prophecy that Banco’s children will rule Scotland. As the assassins lie in wait for Banco outside the castle, Banco sings his recitative and aria “Studia il passo  -Come dal ciel precipita” (Watch your step - How from the heaven falls), in which he warns his son about his feeling of foreboding. The aria’s noble, rich unfolding comes to an impassioned peak just before the coda, when the assassins strike him down but fail to halt his escaping son.

The aria was written for basso profondo (here transcribed for baritone). My attempt had me step out of my comfort zone, both in expression and in range. The piano as always was brilliantly played by Helen Roberts.
I hope you'll enjoy our performance.

Lyrics

Studia il passo, o mio figlio...
Usciam da queste tenèbre...
Un senso ignoto
Nascer mi sento in petto,
Pien di tristo presagio e di sospetto.

Come dal ciel precipita
L'ombra più sempre oscura!
In notte ugual trafissero
Duncano, il mio signor.
Mille affannose immagini
M'annunciano sventura,
E il mio pensiero ingombrano
Di larve e di terror.

English:

Be careful how you go, o my son...
Let’s go out from this darkness...
I feel something unknown
Growing in my heart,
Fraught with sad premonition and suspicion.

How the shade falls from heaven
More and more obscure !
On such another night as this
They stabbed to death Duncan, my lord.
A thousand nightmares
Are foretelling me misfortune,
And are oppressing my mind
With ghosts and dread.

Come dal ciel precipita (Macbeth - Giuseppe Verdi - with Helen Roberts)

"Vesoul" is a 1968 French song by Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel - whom we love :)

Guitar by Gideon
Special thanks to my daughter Teghan for her excellent French :).

We hope you'll enjoy our rendition!


English translation

You wanted to see Vierzon, and we saw Vierzon
You wanted to see Vesoul, and we saw Vesoul
You wanted to see Honfleur, and we saw Honfleur
You wanted to see Hamburg, and we saw Hamburg
I wanted to see Antwerp, we saw Hamburg again
I wanted to see your sister, and we saw your mother
As always

You no longer loved Vierzon, we left Vierzon
You no longer loved Vesoul, we left Vesoul
You no longer loved Honfleur, we left Honfleur
You no longer loved Hamburg, we left Hamburg
You wanted to see Antwerp, we only saw its suburbs
You no longer loved your mother, we left your sister
As always

But I tell you, I won't go any further
But I warn you, I won't go to Paris
Besides, I hate all the fuss
Of the musette waltz and the accordion

You wanted to see Paris, and we saw Paris
You wanted to see Dutronc, and we saw Dutronc
I wanted to see your sister, I saw Mont Valérien
You wanted to see Hortense, she was in Cantal
I wanted to see Byzantium, and we saw Pigalle
At Saint-Lazare station, I saw the Flowers of Evil
By chance

You no longer loved Paris, we left Paris
You no longer loved Dutronc, we left Dutronc
Now, I confuse your sister and Mont Valérien
From what I know of Hortense, I won't go to Cantal anymore
And too bad for Byzantium, since I saw Pigalle
And Saint-Lazare station, it's expensive, and it hurts
Randomly

But I tell you again (heat up, Marcel, heat up)
I won't go any further
But I warn you (quail, quail, quail)
The journey is over
Besides, I hate all the fuss
Of the musette waltz and the accordion

You wanted to see Vierzon, and we saw Vierzon
You wanted to see Vesoul, and we saw Vesoul
You wanted to see Honfleur, and we saw Honfleur
You wanted to see Hamburg, and we saw Hamburg
I wanted to see Antwerp, and we saw Hamburg again
I wanted to see your sister, and we saw your mother
As always

You no longer loved Vierzon, we left Vierzon 
You no longer loved Vesoul, we left Vesoul
You no longer loved Honfleur, we left Honfleur
You no longer loved Hamburg, we left Hamburg
You wanted to see Antwerp, we only saw its suburbs
You no longer loved your mother, we left her sister
As always 

But I tell you again
I won't go any further
But I warn you, I won't go to Paris
Besides, I hate all the fuss
Of the musette waltz and the accordion

You wanted to see Paris, and we saw Paris
You wanted to see Dutronc, and we saw Dutronc
I wanted to see your sister, I saw Mont Valérien
You wanted to see Hortense, she was in Cantal
I wanted to see Byzantium, and we saw Pigalle
At Saint-Lazare station, I saw the Flowers of Evil
By chance

Vesoul (Jaques Brel - Giddy and Rob Jam)

The Way You Look Tonight" is a song from the film Swing Time that was performed by Fred Astaire and composed by Jerome Kern with lyrics written by Dorothy Fields. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936.

With a little help from my friends

Stewart Roberts - guitar
Karen "Kiki" Jackson - vocal

We hope you'll enjoy ☀️

The Way You Look Tonight (Swing Time - Jerome Kern / Dorothy Fields - Kiki, Stu and Rob Jam)

"Sea Fever" is a song for piano and voice written bei John Ireland in 1913, with lyrics by John Masefield.

Piano by Helen Roberts

We hope you'll enjoy, and spend some time by the sea, if you can :)


artwork by Joaquín Sorolla

Sea Fever (John Ireland - a reprise with Helen Roberts)

"Work Song" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier for his 2014 eponymous debut studio album.

Guitar by Gideon

We hope you'll enjoy our take on it.

Work Song (Hozier - Giddy & Rob Jam)

A little reminder that summer isn't quite over yet - "Here shall he see no enemy, but winter and rough weather"

"Under the greenwood tree" is the second song in Roger Quilter's cycle of Shakespeare songs. It appears in "As You Like It", Act II, Scene 5.

Piano accompaniment as always by the wonderful Helen Roberts.

We hope you'll enjoy it, as well as the very last days of summer :).

Lyrics:

Under the greenwood tree
Who loves to lie with me,
And tune his merry note
Unto the sweet bird's throat,
Come hither, come hither, come hither:
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather.

Who doth ambition shun,
And loves to live i' the sun,
Seeking the food he eats,
And pleas'd with what he gets,
Come hither, come hither, come hither:
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather.

Under the Greenwood Tree (Roger Quilter - with Helen Roberts)

More than a little indisposed, yet not fully out of service, there's always some great music to sing and play.

"Sotto le stelle del Jazz" was written by Paolo Conte in 1983, and released on his third eponymous album.

Guitar by my son Gideon.

We hope you'll enjoy it, and I whisper "I love you" ;)

I will not try an English translation this time, cause the lyrics are full of allegories, and after all I'm not a poet :). Luckily there are some poets around on SC, and so very special thanks so to Michele Ansani (@michele-ansani check out his music) for providing both an English translation, and food for thought. You can find his translation below.

lyrics

Certi capivano il jazz
L'argenteria spariva
Ladri di stelle e di jazz
Così eravamo noi, così eravamo noi
Pochi capivano il jazz
Troppe cravatte sbagliate
Ragazzi scimmia del jazz
Così eravamo noi, così eravamo noi

Sotto le stelle del jazz
Ma quanta notte è passata
Marisa, svegliami, abbracciami
È stato un sogno fortissimo
Le donne odiavano il jazz
Non si capisce il motivo

Sotto le stelle del jazz
Un uomo scimmia cammina
O forse balla, chissà

Duemila enigmi nel jazz
Ah, non si capisce il motivo
Nel tempo fatto di attimi
E settimane enigmistiche

Sotto la luna del jazz
And now here me jazz
I whisper, "I love you"
I whisper, "I love you"

English

Some could understand jazz,
while the silverware disappeared
thieves of stars and of jazz,
that’s what we were, that’s what we were.

Few could understand jazz,
too many wrong ties around,
monkey boys of jazz
that’s what we were, that’s what we were.

Under the stars of jazz
how many nights have gone by,
Marisa wake me, hold me close,
it was such a powerful dream.
Women used to hate jazz,
“the tune is hard to find”

Under the stars of jazz
a monkey-man is walking
or maybe he’s dancing, who knows.
Two thousand riddles in jazz,
“the tune is hard to find”
In time made of fleeting moments
and crossword-puzzle weeks.

Under the moon of jazz
and now listen to me, jazz,
I whisper: “I love you,”
I whisper: “I love you.”

Sotto le stelle del Jazz (Paolo Conte - Giddy and Rob Jam)

"John the Revelator" is a gospel blues call and response song first recorded by gospel-blues legend Blind Willie Johnson in 1930. We adapted Son House's lyrics from his 1965 rendition.

Guitar by my son Gideon

As Thanksgiving is coming up, please consider giving a little support to your local radio or television station.
Thank you!

John the Revelator (Johnson /  House - Giddy & Rob Jam)

On special order for some dear friends over in the US - Josh Groban's 2018 song "Granted".

Happy Thanksgiving my dears, and I hope you'll enjoy both the song and the celebrations.

Granted (Josh Groban)

Enjoying the the acoustics at  St Illtud’s Church in Llanilltud Fawr (or Llantwit Major), Wales, with Philip Hayman setting the mood on his viola.

I know it's very brief, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway...and there's more to come :)

lyrics

Ave maris stella, 
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix caeli porta.

Hail, star of the sea, 
blessed Mother of God
and ever Virgin, 
happy gate of heaven.

Ave Maris Stella (Gregorian Chant - with Philip Hayman)

" Praise ye the Lord" is an Air form Georg Friedrich Handel's oratorio "Solomon", written in 1748.
The anonymous libretto is currently thought to have been written by the English Jewish poet/playwright Moses Mendes. It is based on the biblical stories of the wise king Solomon from the First Book of Kings and the Second Book of Chronicles.

violin - Clarke Alonzi, Anna Downes
viola - Philip Hayman
organ - Helen Roberts
voice - Robert Llewellyn

We hope you'll enjoy!

lyrics

Praise ye the Lord for all his mercies past,
Whose truth, whose justice will for ever last.

Praise ye the Lord  (Solomon - Georg Friedrich Handel)

Here's the brief number four of Roger Quilter's cycle of Shakespeare Songs. The lyrics for this one however were falsely attributed to Shakespeare, the authorship is unknown. I think them beautiful nonetheless.

Piano by Helen Roberts

We hope you'll enjoy :)

lyrics

Take, o take those lips away,
That so sweetly were forsworn;
And those eyes, the break of day,
Lights that do mislead the morn:
But my kisses bring again;
Seals of love, but seal'd in vain, sealed in vain.

artwork: Edvard Munch - Head by Head (1905)

Take, O take those Lips away (Roger Quilter - with Helen Roberts)

While I think this fifth and final of Quilter's Shakespeare Songs must be inherently Welsh....well, I might of cause be wrong ;). It appears in "Twelfth Night: or, What You Will", Act V, Scene 1.

Piano by the one and only, and most wonderful Helen Roberts (you know you can't punch me).

We hope you'll enjoy the dreadful weather, as long as it's in sound only ;)

lyrics:

When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came to man's estate,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
'Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came, alas! to wive,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
By swaggering could I never thrive,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came unto my beds,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
With toss-pots still had drunken heads,
For the rain it raineth every day.

A great while ago the world begun,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
But that's all one, our play is done,
And we'll strive to please you every day.



Hey, ho, the wind and the rain (Roger Quilter - with Helen Roberts)

Here we are, back to celebrating great American music, taking a deep bow to one of the greatest - Muddy Waters. He was the Hoochie Choochie Man indeed, and so much more.

Guitar by my son Gideon.

We hope you'll enjoy.

Hoochie Coochie Man (Muddy Waters - Giddy & Rob Jam)

The Christmas Oratorio (German: Weihnachtsoratorium), BWV 248, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach intended for performance in church during the Christmas season. It is in six parts, each part a cantata intended for performance in a church service on a feast day of the Christmas period. It was written for the Christmas season of 1734.

"Immanuel, O süsses Wort", "Jesu, Du mein liebstes Leben" is a recitative and arioso for bass, soprano, string ensemble and continuo. 

soprano - Elsa
violin - Clarke Alonzi, Anna Downes
viola - Philip Hayman
organ - Helen Roberts
bass/baritone - Robert Llewellyn

My colleague Elsa is still very young, we will not publish her full name in order to protect her privacy. Thank you for your understanding.

We wish you all Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas!

lyrics

BASS
Immanuel, o süßes Wort!
Mein Jesus heißt mein Hort,
mein Jesus heißt mein Leben.
Mein Jesus hat sich mir ergeben,
mein Jesus soll mir immerfort
vor meinen Augen schweben.
Mein Jesus heißet meine Lust,
mein Jesus labet Herz und Brust.

SOPRAN
Jesu, du mein liebstes Leben,

BASS
Komm! Ich will dich mit Lust umfassen,

SOPRAN
meiner Seelen Bräutigam,

BASS
mein Herze soll dich nimmer lassen,

SOPRAN
der du dich vor mich gegeben

BASS
ach! so nimm mich zu dir!

SOPRAN
an des bittern Kreuzes Stamm!

BASS
Auch in dem Sterben sollst du mir
das Allerliebste sein;
in Not, Gefahr und Ungemach
seh ich dir sehnlichst nach.
Was jagte mir zuletzt der Tod für Grauen ein?
Mein Jesus! wenn ich sterbe,
so weiß ich, daß ich nicht verderbe.
Dein Name steht in mir geschrieben,
der hat des Todes Furcht vertrieben.

English

BASS
Emmanuel, O sweet word!
My Jesus is named my refuge,
my Jesus is named my life.
My Jesus reveals himself to me,
my Jesus, shall henceforth
linger before my eyes.
My Jesus is named my passion,
my Jesus refreshes heart and breast.

SOPRANO
Jesus, you most beloved of my life,

BASS
Come! I will passionately embrace you,

SOPRANO
bridegroom of my soul,

BASS
my heart shall never release you,

SOPRANO
you who have presented yourself for me

BASS
ah! accept me then yourself!

SOPRANO
upon the bitter stem of the cross!

BASS
Even in death you shall be
my beloved most dear;
in agony, peril and adversity
I look to you most fervently.
Why in the end sould I be terrified of death?
My Jesus! when I die
I know that I do not perish.
Your name is inscribed upon me,
it has dispelled all fear of death.

Immanuel, O süsses Wort (Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248IV - Johann Sebastian Bach)

Something rather old for someone rather young.

For my Eggy
who's got what it takes
in droves

Happy Birthday my darling

Hall Of Fame (The Skript ft. will.i.am - live)

What better way to end this year than with a somewhat frenzied  drinking song.
Helen and I perform "Chanson à boire" from Maurice Ravel's "Don Quichotte à Dulcinée", for your entertainment. And whether you intend to get absolutely plastered tonight or make do with that single glass of Taittinger (like me ;)), stay safe out there, and a very happy New Year! À la joie!

lyrics

Foin du bâtard, illustre Dame,
Qui pour me perdre à vos doux yeux
Dit que l'amour et le vin vieux
Mettent en deuil mon cœur, mon âme !

Je bois
À la joie !
La joie est le seul but
Où je vais droit ... lorsque j'ai bu !

Foin du jaloux, brune maîtresse,
Qui geint, qui pleure et fait serment
D'être toujours ce pâle amant
Qui met de l'eau dans son ivresse !

Je bois
À la joie !
La joie est le seul but
Où je vais droit ...
Lorsque j'ai bu !

English

A pox on the bastard, illustrious Lady,
Who to discredit me in your sweet eyes,
Says that love and old wine
Are saddening my heart and soul!

I drink
To joy!
Joy is the only goal
To which I go straight... when I'm... drunk!

A pox on the jealous wretch, O dusky mistress,
Who whines and weeps and vows
Always to be this lily-livered lover
Who dilutes his drunkenness!

I drink
To joy!
Joy is the only goal
To which I go straight... when I'm... drunk!

Chanson à boire (Don Quichotte à Dulcinée - Maurice Ravel - with Helen Roberts)

Sosban Fach (English "Little saucepan")written by Talog Williams, is a traditional, and slightly nonsensical Welsh folk song.

Without further ado, here are the lyrics plus the English translation:

Welsh
Mae bys Meri-Ann wedi brifo,
A Dafydd y gwas ddim yn iach.
Mae'r baban yn y crud yn crio,
A'r gath wedi sgrapo Joni bach.
Sosban fach yn berwi ar y tân,
Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr,
A'r gath wedi sgrapo Joni bach.

Dai bach y soldiwr,
Dai bach y soldiwr,
Dai bach y soldiwr,
A chwt ei grys e mas.

Mae bys Meri-Ann wedi gwella,
A Dafydd y gwas yn ei fedd;
Mae'r baban yn y crud wedi tyfu,
A'r gath wedi huno mewn hedd.
Sosban fach yn berwi ar y tân
Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr
A'r gath wedi huno mewn hedd.

Dai bach y sowldiwr,
Dai bach y sowldiwr,
Dai bach y sowldiwr,
A chwt ei grys e mas.

Aeth hen Fari Jones i Ffair y Caerau
I brynu set o lestri de;
Ond mynd i'r ffos aeth Mari gyda'i llestri
Trwy yfed gormod lawer iawn o "de"
Sosban fach yn berwi ar y tân
Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr
A'r gath wedi huno mewn hedd.


English 
Mary-Ann has hurt her finger,
And David the servant is not well.
The baby in the cradle is crying,
And the cat has scratched little Johnny.
A little saucepan is boiling on the fire,
A big saucepan is boiling on the floor,
And the cat has scratched little Johnny.

Little Dai the soldier,
Little Dai the soldier,
Little Dai the soldier,
And his shirt tail is hanging out.

Mary-Ann's finger has got better,
And David the servant is in his grave;
The baby in the cradle has grown up,
And the cat is "asleep in peace".
A little saucepan is boiling on the fire,
A big saucepan is boiling on the floor,
And the cat is "asleep in peace".

Little Dai the soldier,
Little Dai the soldier,
Little Dai the soldier,
And his shirt tail is hanging out.

Old Mary Jones went to the fair in Caerau,
To buy a tea set;
But Mary and her teacups ended up in a ditch,
By drinking rather too much "tea".
A little saucepan is boiling on the fire,
A big saucepan is boiling on the floor,
And the cat is "asleep in peace".

Sosban Fach (Welsh trad)

Figaro's aria from Gioachino Rossini's opera buffa "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

piano - Helen Roberts

Largo Al Factotum (Il Barbiere Di Siviglia, Gioachino Rossini)

Hi, I'm Rob.

I'm a singer, well you figured that out by yourself if you listened to my music....
I'm also Welsh, so what can I do?

I love music, so listening to all the great talent here on SoundCloud - whether it's raw or refined - is an immense pleasure. Thank you all for that.

I hope you get some joy out of listening to me.

Due to some health issues I'm not always capable to listen to your music, interact as much as I'd like to or reply to your comments in a timely manner. It doesn't alter the appreciation I feel for each and every one of you. Please bear with me.

Robert Llewellyn

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