[Dixielandjazz] re: 76 Trombones - the unknown verses

[David Richoux]

The topic of 76 Trombones came up a while ago on another list - there=20
will be a "Made for TV" version of the Music Man sometime very soon!


According to at least one website these are the lyrics for 76 Trombones:

76 Trombones

Seventy six trombones led the big parade
With a hundred and ten cornets close at hand.
They were followed by rows and rows of the finest virtuosos,
the cream of ev'ry famous band.

Seventy six trombones caught the morning sun,
With a hundred and ten cornets right behind.
There were more than a thousand reeds springing up like weeds,
there were horns of ev'ry shape and kind.

There were copper bottom tympani in horse platoons,
thundering, thundering, all along the way.
Double bell euphoniums and big bassoons,
each bassoon having his big fat say.
There were fifty mounted cannon in the battery,
Thundering, thundering, louder than before.
Clarinets of eve'ry size and trumpeters who'd improvise
a full octave higher than the score.

Seventy six trombones led the big parade,
when the order to march rang out loud and clear.
Starting off with a big bang bong on a Chinese gong,
by a big bang bonger at the rear.

Seventy six trombones hit the counter point,
while a hundred and ten cornets played the air.
Then I modestly took my place as the one and only bass,
and I oompahed up and down the square.
-----------------------
However, my Mom has a copy of a book about Merideth Wilson "But He=20
Doesn't Know the Territory" which reveals another 2 (more interesting)=20=

verses that were cut from the final version (probably with good reason=20=

;-) I can't quite fit the words to the tune, but maybe he had planned a=20=

different patter?

There was a Pandean and a Picco Pipe
There were little Musettes and big Chalumeaus=A0                 (rhymes=20=

with nose)
There was even a Basset horn
and a long Cromorne
and a Tabor blown beneath the nose.
There was an Aulus flute and a flute-a-bec
And a glittering Krummhorn wonderf'ly played
Then I casu'ly stepped inside
of the the only Ophicleide
Just in time to save the Big Parade

There was a Arghool reed and a Dulcian
There were quite a few Zinkens made out of wood
There were possibly three Schalmaeys
=A0and a Cor Anglaise
And a Shawm which sounded awf'ly good
There was a Posthorn group and a Galoubet
There were several Waights and one crystal Nay
Then I spotted a Bombardon
Which of course I seized upon
Just in time, dear friends, to save the day."

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there is also a rather interesting website that defines most of those=20
turn of the century Iowan words and phrases used in the story...=20
http://www.clippernet.com/~nancyw/The_Music_Man.html#TOP


Dave Richoux=