[Dixielandjazz] Good website for info on ragtime, blues and stride songs

[David Richoux]

Hi all,

I was doing some research on the song "King Chanticleer" (a San 
Francisco trad favorite) and found this interesting site:

http://www.perfessorbill.com  by Bill Edwards - lots of info on the 
hits (and a few obscure songs) of the early 1900s. Sheet music artwork 
and mp3 files are here as well!

check it out.

Dave Richoux

here is what he has to say about this song:
> Nat D. Ayer (M) and Seymour Brown (L) - 1911: The lyrics of this 
> fabulous tune have mostly been forgotten, and not surprisingly since 
> it is clearly a pianistic showcase. Ayer was a talented tunesmith, 
> also having composed If You Were The Only Girl In The World among 
> others. A telling of the story of head rooster Chanticleer, without 
> whose crowing the sun won't rise, King Chanticleer was originally 
> staged in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1911. It quickly became a staple of 
> silent movie pianists, carousels, and circus bands, and still sees 
> frequent performance. The opening in the verse is actually a simply 
> trip down the chromatic scale in C minor. With the underlying chording 
> in place it is quite thrilling. The last eight measures of the 
> extended verse don't translate so well to piano, since they require 
> sustained chords intended to build up tension in anticipation of the 
> chorus. I use a tremolo in the second iteration in an effort to 
> preserve the desired effect. In the Eb major chorus, the whole 
> barnyard breaks loose. What a joyous melody this is. No wonder it 
> makes such a great exhibition piece.
>
>
> King Chanticleer
> Words by A. Seymour Brown and Music by Nat D. Ayer
>
> Verse 1: When the Sun begins to rise, And you see the light in the 
> Eastern skies,
>  You hear... a rooster crow.
>  No doubt you've often wondered why, If you've wakened by his morning 
> cry;
>  The truth... you ought to hear.
>  Down in the barnyard where all is still, Each day at dawn comes the 
> call so shrill.
>  It echos back from the neighb'ring hill, "I am King Chanticleer!"
>  When his mighty voice is heard, Then ev'ry farmyard beast and bird, 
> You'll no...tice will appear.
>
>  Then comes a sight that makes you stare, Answering calls com from 
> everywhere,
>  See all the animals gather there, To pay homage to their King!
>
> Chorus: 'Round the barnyard goes the mighty cavalcade,
>  Gorgeously arrayed, See them on parade!
>  All the animals assemble there, As the break of day draws near.
>  All the crickets, bees and birds upon the wing,
>  All commence to sing, Hear the chorus ring!
>  All their voices raise, And they acclaim the praise of Chanticleer!
>
> Verse 2: Sudden silence reigns without, King Rooster calmly struts 
> about;
>  The cat... makes her report.
>  She proudly carries from the house Another fat and theiving mouse,
>  To try... before the court.
>  Poor mister mouse heaves a pensive sight, He can't escape, there's no 
> use to try,
>  He know that he'll be condemned to die, By King Chanticleer.
>  The dog who sits at the King's right hand, Now growls so he can 
> understand,
>  For he's the barnyard sage.
>
>  Then the duck leads the mouse away, Death is the penalty he must pay,
>  And now the guinea hen has much to say; But the world rolls on again.
>
> Chorus: 'Round the barnyard goes the mighty cavalcade,
>  Gorgeously arrayed, See them on parade!
>  All the animals assemble there, As the break of day draws near.
>  All the crickets, bees and birds upon the wing,
>  All commence to sing, Hear the chorus ring!
>  All their voices raise, And they acclaim the praise of Chanticleer!