Songs About Flies

2023. A Cappella SATB with solo / 4 min

Score PDF

This piece captures two moments.

Two short jazz songs about flies, for a cappella SATB with solo.

Cold Fly recounts the micro drama of a fly lazily rubbing its legs together, then suddenly leaving its window perch. Text by Yang Wan‑Li (1127-1206), translated by Burton Watson.

On a Fly Drinking Out of His Cup is a bit of jazz fluff based on a somewhat philosophical ode comparing the short life of a fly to that of a person. This is an original setting of the poem by English poet William Oldys which first appeared in Scarborough Miscellany of 1732.

Text from Cold Fly and On a Fly….

 

Cold Fly

Noted outside the window: a fly, the sun on his back,

Rubbing his legs together, relishing the morning brightness.

Sun and shadow about to shift - already he knows it,

Suddenly flies off, to hum by a different window.

On A Fly Drinking Out Of His Cup

Busy, curious, thirsty fly!

Drink with me and drink as I:

Freely welcome to my cup,

Couldst thou sip and sip it up:

Make the most of life you may,

Life is short and wears away.

Both alike are mine and thine

Hastening quick to their decline:

Thine's a summer, mine's no more,

Though repeated to threescore.

Threescore summers, when they're gone,

Will appear as short as one!