Choral Choir,Choral (SA) - Level 4 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1216084
Composed by Melody by Thomas Clark (1805) and Words Anonymous (ca. 1860). Arranged by Stephen Smith. Children,Classical,Comedy,Folk,Traditional. 12 pages. Stephen Smith #812710. Published by Stephen Smith (A0.1216084).
The comical song On Ilkley Moor Bar t'At is thought to have been invented by the members of a church choir from the Halifax area of Yorkshire, England while on an outing to Ilkley Moor, some time around 1860. In the decades since, it has become so famous and popular that it is considered the unofficial anthem of Yorkshire. Â
The eight verses of the song warn against venturing on to Ilkley Moor--even to court your beloved-- bar t'at (without thy hat), lest you catch cold and end up as worm-food! Then, when the worms become duck-food, and the ducks become people-food... well, it doesn't bear thinking about!Â
But it's a ton of fun to sing about, especially in this sensational arrangement for treble choir and piano. With wild harmonic twists, mock-serious counterpoint, references to jazz waltzes and funeral marches, and a virtual concerto of a piano accompaniment, this arrangement is a showpiece that will delight performers and wow audiences. And since half the fun is singing it with the customary broad West Yorkshire accent, a helpful pronunciation guide is included.
