New song - BREMEN

[Wade Kotter]

I mentioned I've been working on a new song in a previous message. Well, here it is. The import of the tune name, BREMEN, will be obvious from the dedication. My main concern now is with the music, although any thoughts on improving the text would be greatly appreciated as well. I'd even consider another C.M. text if you have any suggestions. My hope is to present the song to Hugh at Holly Springs in June.

Wade

[Wade Kotter]

C.M.??? How did I make that mistake? It's L.M., of course! Here's the corrected version.

Wade

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From: Wade Kotter <wadek...@yahoo.com>
To: "fasola-so...@googlegroups.com" <fasola-so...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 11:34 AM
Subject: [fasola-songwriters: 1054] New song - BREMEN

[Randy Webber]

I like it.  Perhaps we could do it for or with Hugh on Thurs. at the nat'l. convention in addition to Holly Springs.  I will look at the music more carefully later, but it seems solid after a cursory glance.  I would recommend pitching it down a third to D major; the only potential problem if you do that is the low A in the first 2 notes of the counter/alto, and they should be able to reach it.

I like the symmetrical introductions to the major sections (Help me to sing..., And when I...), which you maintain throughout.  A possibility that would help with the arms-harm rhyme but interrupt the other symmetry would be to move the current v. 4 up to 3 and rewrite v. 3 as a final reference to the hereafter:

Help me to sing my master's grace, until I see him face to face.

Then he will raise me with his arm.  His grace will save me from all harm.

I'm not sure whether or not you want such a reference in your hymn.  In any case, it would be an alternative and maybe or maybe not an improvement.

Randy

[Wade Kotter]

Randy:

Thanks for the kind words and thoughtful suggestions. I never was happy with the arms-harm rhyme in verse 3 and revised the third (and fourth) verses even before hearing from you. I've attached the new version; there are no changes in the music, just the words. I've decided to leave it in F; that way, the keyer can pitch it as appropriate for the class. At our local singing we sang it as written and everyone liked it, although we always tend to pitch things a bit higher than is normal elsewhere. Must be that funny looking bearded treble who loves to show off his high range (couldn't be me, could it?). Anyway, I'd loved to hear what people think of the revised text, and the music, of course.

Wade

PS: I won't be at the National this year, but if you would like to lead it on Thursday night you're are most welcome.

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From: Randy Webber <randy.we...@gmail.com>
To: fasola-so...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2012 1:57 PM
Subject: Re: [fasola-songwriters: 1062] New song - BREMEN

[Charles Woods]

I DO like "Bremen". The tune is very singable, and the words progress in a rational direction (ending on "power").  Good range, good progressions; very enjoyable.

From: Wade Kotter <wadek...@yahoo.com>
To: "fasola-so...@googlegroups.com" <fasola-so...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: [fasola-songwriters: 1055] New song - BREMEN

C.M.??? How did I make that mistake? It's L.M., of course! Here's the corrected version.

Wade