Silly Rhymes
This set of six children’s songs for soprano and piano has subsequently been orchestrated for unison children's choir (or solo soprano) and chamber orchestra, and for SATB chorus. The lyrics, by the composer, are silly rhyming verses appropriate for children. The same lyrics were also set for solo trombone and audience participation.
1 — Merle the Squirrel
The Earl of Byrl was a squirrel named Merle,
Who had a bushy tail that would not curl.
He did not care
His tail was just a lump of hair,
Until he met the girl squirrel Pearl.
2 — Tony the Pony
The accent of Tony the Pony was phony,
And everyone knew it but Joanie.
Who thought it was sweet when he said,
“Would you care for a bite to eat?”
But he only ever fed her baloney.
3 — A Monkey in the Zoo
A monkey in the zoo by the name of Bobbie Sue,
Had an uncle of one hundred and two.
She asked him, “Does it hurt,”
“To be older than dirt?”
“And to be a monkey’s uncle, too?”
4 — Donna the Iguana
Donna the iguana said that she was gonna
Get some sun and fun in Tijuana.
But when she missed her flight,
In the middle of the night,
She knew she’d have to wait ’til mañana.
5 — Claire the Bear
Claire the bear went up the stair
To look for something that she could wear.
But she found nothing clean,
And later was seen
With her little bear bottom bare.
6 — Laura Bell the Gazelle
Laura Bell the gazelle wasn’t feeling very well
When she heard what her friend had to tell.
“You know, I’ve been tryin’,”
Said Ryan the Lion,
“An all red meat diet…Oh, well!”
