I’ve played the ¾ tune likely 1,000 times at this point... The lively and sweeping song associated with the “medieval” song Totentanz (or Danse Macabre, but not Saint-Saëns/Liszt version). It is a staple on the mittelalter scene and occasionally makes an appearance into the repertoire of American pseudo-Renaissance ensembles. I haven’t played it publicly with or without a band in over 6 years. When some discussion came up with folk metal band Teshaleh about a ‘bagpipe forward’, and possibly historically sourced piece – Totentanz was a natural choice. The imagery surrounding the inspiring woodcuts is chilling and dark. From the plague years, the underlying message was that death is inevitable, if not imminent. And in the end we are all skeletons. Similar imagery pervades funerary and post mortem customs found through out the world. Aztec, Mexican, Scandinavian, Afro-Caribbean and Indian culture all have images of the dead/ancestors returning in ghastly form. This time of year in a number of ancient cultures is often marked by rituals for the dead. The harvest is under way or finished; the turning of the wheel towards winter begins. November 1 is historically a day of the dead; or a day that the dead come to visit in many cultures. Much like the medieval Totentanz these expressions are not meant to minimize the danger in or fear of death. Instead they are to remind the living that each moment is valuable. And how we choose to live it dictates are experience in the earthly form. In addition to a pipe lead I wanted to write some lyrics to go along with the Totentanz tune. They aren’t finalized but are a sketch to be looked at/worked on by the entire band. I’m not including the notation here, but they correspond to the typical A/A B/B arrangement of the piece. Brett and I decided to work with the medieval source material. The Heidelberg Totentanz as well as some review of the Basel Totentanz. I wanted to put these out there on the Day of the Dead. The Emperor
The Emperor (A/A) My Power Boundless To far Land and Sea I laid waste for Empire Foes Fell to their Knees My Will is no longer Now I’m but a shade. My blade and staff rot As death heeds no crowns. Death (B/B) Lord of Men, On your throne crows now nest Your Sceptre and Crown Are Worthless as Dust For I Death am Emperor Here And now clasp my hand And join in the dance. The Merchant The Merchant (A/A) In Life I traveled To sell wares much prized My coffers bulge And my purse always full Now I feel chilled As a hand reaches out. When in my tombs Gems and gold Are no bribes. Death (B/B) Merchant Man Your gold will Not help you Of riches Death My master needs none! Your skull can rest Atop a pile of coins. As we clasp hands And you join in the dance. The Child The Child (A/A) Dear Mother Where are you? You lay in the streets. I barely crawl yet I am made to walk The smoke blinds my eyes And my toys are lost. A man in black calls And I take his hand. Death (B/B) Weep or you laugh It matters not to me. Your Mother’s arms or teat Would not save you now. Rise from your knees It is time to join the line. And now clasp my hand And Join in this dance.
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John Harford
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