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!