My Don Quixote songs (Piers Plowman)

Subject: My Don Quixote songs
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:06 AM

I've written 5 more, so if anyone likes this one, I'd be glad to post the others.

Laurence

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The Adventures of the Noble Knight
Don Quixote de la Mancha
and his Faithful Squire
Sancho Panza

Based on the work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

By Laurence D. Finston

Copyright (C) 2007, 2008 Laurence D. Finston

Copying is permitted provided this copyright notice is preserved.

Don Quixote

(Part I, Book I, Chapters 2 and 3)

Don Quixote de la Mancha,
Was a hero brave and true;
In his suit of shining armor,
Sharp sword hanging by his side,
On his proud steed Rosinante,
For adventures out he'd ride.

Don Quixote de la Mancha,
All injustice he abhorred,
Evildoers of all sizes,
Them no quarter he'd afford.

Dragons, giants, fiends, and demons,
All and sundry he would fight,
Just one thought that did oppress him:
"First I must be dubbed a knight."

On he rode unto a castle,
Towers lofty, banners gay;
And the courteous horde of ladies,
Bade him there, the night to stay.

The castellan, a mighty warrior,
Of him our hero begged a boon,
"Dub me a knight, Sir, O, I pray Thee!
And God grant it may be soon!"

In the horse trough Don Quixote,
Piled his armor, shining bright,
On his knees in ardent prayer,
And at morning rose a Knight.

Off he rode, his lance a-gleaming,
Bound for deeds of derring-do,
And he dreamed of future glory,
'Neath the sky of cloudless blue.

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs
From: MMario
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:10 AM

I like the subject - do you have a tune?

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:18 AM

Yes, I do have a tune for it, but I've never written it down. It's an original tune, not borrowed from another song. If you're interested, I'll try to figure out a way of communicating it. I can't sight-sing, I'm afraid, so I really need my guitar to be able to write it down.

I haven't written tunes for most of the others.

I really wanted to use them for animation, but it doesn't look like that's going to work out in the foreseeable future. Here are some of the drawings I've done for this project, if anyone's interested:
http://www.stud.uni-goettingen.de/~s246794/Quix.html

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:19 AM

The Adventures of the Noble Knight
Don Quixote de la Mancha
and his Faithful Squire
Sancho Panza

Based on the work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

By Laurence D. Finston

Copyright (C) 2007, 2008 Laurence D. Finston

Copying is permitted provided this copyright notice is preserved.

(Part I, Book I, Chapter 4)

Ah! To succour need,
One has but to begin it,
For as the saying tells us,
There's a succour born each minute.

A farmer took his shepherd-boy,
And tied him to a tree,
He beat him with a leather strap,
The boy cried "Woe is me!"

A noble knight, he heard his cries,
And hastened to his aid,
"Prepare to die, Thou recreant knight,
Who on him hands hath laid!"

"O mercy, mighty warrior!
Most deeply I repent,
I'll pay him for the wrong I've done,
If you reprieve will grant."

A stranger he to falsehood,
On rode the valiant knight,
The farmer watched him thoughtfully,
'Til he was out of sight.

Again he seized the shepherd boy,
And bound him to the tree,
Once more took up his leather strap,
And beat him merc'lessly.

And onward rode the noble knight,
Upon his lips a song,
How great the satisfaction,
When right triumphs over wrong!

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:20 AM

The Adventures of the Noble Knight
Don Quixote de la Mancha
and his Faithful Squire
Sancho Panza

Based on the work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

By Laurence D. Finston

Copyright (C) 2007, 2008 Laurence D. Finston

Copying is permitted provided this copyright notice is preserved.


(Part I, Book I, Chapter 8)

The Adventure of the Windmills

On a broad plain Don Quixote,
Spied a horde of giants fierce,
And he vowed, although outnumbered,
With his lance their hearts to pierce.

Sancho cried, "They are but windmills,
Not giants spoiling for a fight!"
"Windmills, indeed!" replied Quixote,
"'Tis but enchantment warps your sight."

Bold Sancho's protests notwithstanding,
Off he sped in wild career;
A rising wind the sails was turning,
As the knight did swiftly near.

"Evil giants, false and wicked,
Unrefined, with manners crude,
Tremble at the hero's coming,
Who'll destroy your foul brood!"

Angrily their arms a-waving,
Our hero's onslaught they abide,
And a sudden blow the issue,
Of the battle does decide.

Rosinante and his rider ---
Scornfully the giants crow ---
In despite of all their valor,
By a lucky stroke laid low.

Sancho --- cries of lamentation
Echoing about the plain ---
Rested not a moment 'til he,
Stood beside his lord again.

"Don Quixote, noble master,
What possessed you, this to dare?
They were windmills and no giants,
And they fight not on the square."

"Peace, I bid thee, foolish Sancho,
'Tis but an enchanter's ploy,
That magician, Freston, curse him,
Thus my glory would destroy."

To Rosinante's back he helped him,
Exultant giants jeering loud,
And toward a new day's promised vic'try,
Off they limped with heads unbowed.

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:21 AM

The Adventures of the Noble Knight
Don Quixote de la Mancha
and his Faithful Squire
Sancho Panza

Based on the work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

By Laurence D. Finston

Copyright (C) 2007, 2008 Laurence D. Finston

Copying is permitted provided this copyright notice is preserved.

(Part I, Book III, Chapter 3)

Don Quixote from the castle,
And its lord his leave would take,
But this false, deceiving fellow,
Said, "There must be some mistake."

"Not in castle nor in fortress,
Did you here your journey stay,
'Tis an inn and I must beg you,
Ere you go your bill to pay!"

Don Quixote wroth was waxing,
Righteous anger clouds his brow,
"Ungrateful, knavish rogue and traitor,
Knights pay no bills, as you well know!"

Sharply spurring Rosinante,
He exited that den of sin,
But, Alas! he'd left his faithful,
Squire Sancho still within.

"Sir," began the scurvy ruffian,
Your indulgence I would pray,
For your master, who's escaped me,
You, the servant, now must pay."

"Never!" quoth Bold Sancho stoutly,
"Vain thy pleading, odious pander,
For whate'er sauce for the goose is,
'Tis even so sauce for the gander."

Devil take him! The innkeeper,
Gave a signal soft and low,
And a band of hardened villains,
Fair Sancho to the earth did throw.

Roughly siezed the rascals Sancho,
His mighty blows to no avail,
And a blanket then outspreading ---
How earn'ed Sancho such travail?

In the blanket,
How the tossed him!
O, those rogues are much to blame!
Dizziness fair overcame him,
But far worse he felt the shame.

Evil riff-raff, coarse and wicked,
Knew not Don Quixote's might;
Sancho's cries of desperation,
Told him of his squire's plight.

Back he rode, the doughty warrior,
Rosinante tore the ground,
But the castle's gates were clos'ed,
And our knight no entrance found.

Fruitless were his threats and curses,
Sancho's need could not allay,
Till at last their arms grew tired,
And they let him ride away.

Sancho's face with blushes burning,
When he once again was free;
But in Hell burn hotter fires,
For them that scorn knight-errantry!

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs
From: MMario
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:21 AM

If you can write the tune and scan it (or digitize it somehow - for example take a digital photo) - I can convert to ABC (text file) and post it. Or I can make a midi.

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:21 AM

The Adventures of the Noble Knight
Don Quixote de la Mancha
and his Faithful Squire
Sancho Panza

Based on the work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

By Laurence D. Finston

Copyright (C) 2007, 2008 Laurence D. Finston

Copying is permitted provided this copyright notice is preserved.

The Adventure of Mambrino's Helmet

(Part I, Book III, Chapter 7)

Don Quixote was a hero,
A stranger ever he to fear,
And he won Mambrino's helmet,
In arms delighting,
Evil fighting,
In the spring-tide of the year.

A barber came a-riding,
With his bowl upon his head,
Sometimes 'twas used for haircuts,
Curls a-waving,
Beards a-shaving,
Other times, when veins he bled.

Don Quixote cried in wonder,
"Fortune bringeth my reward,
For I spy Mambrino's helmet,
Golden shine,
Pow'r divine,
I shall win it with my sword!"

A swift challenge then he issued,
The barber quailed and paled with fear,
To see Quixote riding toward him,
Eyes a-blazing,
Dust a-raising,
Gleaming shield and couchd spear.

Terrified the barber scarpered,
Fleeing from our hero bold,
And among tales of his glory,
Deeds of valor,
Ill-doers' pallor,
This one ever shall be told.

Don Quixote raised the helmet,
And he placed it on his head,
Treasure won through unmatched courage,
For honor vying,
Fame undying,
Justly proud, the victor's tread.

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:23 AM

The Adventures of the Noble Knight
Don Quixote de la Mancha
and his Faithful Squire
Sancho Panza

Based on the work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

By Laurence D. Finston

Copyright (C) 2007, 2008 Laurence D. Finston

Copying is permitted provided this copyright notice is preserved.

(Part II, Chapter 26)
The Adventure of the Puppet-Play

"Don Quixote, for your pleasure,
A puppet-play tonight I'll show,
Of the Lady Melisandra,
And her husband Gayferos."

Thus quoth courteous Master Peter,
And all applauded his intent;
Seated on a row of benches,
Eagerly all ears were bent.

Ears were seated on the benches?
Surely this could not be meant!
Other parts performed the sitting,
While eyes and ears attention lent.

Gayferos at draughts a-playing,
Unconcern he did affect,
When Charlemagne, his lady's father,
Upraided him for his neglect.

"Melisandra is imprisoned,
And you sit at idle game!
While your honor lies a-bleeding,
Gayferos, hast Thou no shame?"

To his face the blood was rushing,
Rage and anger filled his heart,
Pausing but a sword to borrow,
Took his leave and did depart.

In the town of Saragossa,
Bold Don Gayferos found his love,
And quickly making her arrangements,
Herself she lowered from above.

On his steed of fearsome mettle,
Off they rode then, side-by-side,
But some interfering neighbours,
The fleeing lovers had espied.

Side-by-side and riding horseback?
Surely this is some mistake!
Perhaps Gayferos left his horse home,
And the streetcar he did take.

In pursuit the Moorish soldiers,
Marsilius was raging quite,
"She'll not escape me, my fair captive,
Bring me the head of that bold knight!"

"Nay!" roared Don Quixote bravely,
"All your hosts I do disdain,
I protect these Christian lovers,
Offer not to cause them pain!"

Among the Moors he wreaked destruction,
With his sharp and trusty sword,
And the tow'rs of Saragossa,
Lay in ruins with their lord.

But alas! poor Melisandra,
Gayferos and Charlemagne,
With their wires cut and tangled,
Never would they rise again.

"Woe is me!" cried Master Peter,
"What madness has possessed you so?
All my puppets you have ruined,
To the poorhouse I must go!"

"Puppets?" quoth bold Don Quixote,
"I've rescued Charlemagn'es daughter,
And a horde of Moorish soldiers,
In battle's frenzy I did slaughter.

Surely 'twas magician's malice,
As so oft, the same old story,
My enemies to dolls transforming,
Robs me of my rightful glory."

Sad of heart, poor Don Quixote,
Paid the player for the damages;
Then he invited all the comp'ny,
To partake with him of wine and sandwiches.

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 10:29 AM

MMario wrote: "If you can write the tune and scan it (or digitize it somehow - for example take a digital photo) - I can convert to ABC (text file) and post it. Or I can make a midi."

Thank you, MMario. While I can read music well, having learned as a child, I have to force myself to write down the songs I write. I usually just write down the chords and have stopped doing that so much, since I've concentrated on playing by ear in the last year or so.

However, I'll try to come up with something.

It would be perfectly all right with me if someone sang it to a different tune, though. I only wrote the one tune, although I may have some vague idea for a tune for one or two of the others. I haven't looked at these songs for awhile, although they are the ones I'm most proud of (if I'm allowed to say that).

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs (Piers Plowman)
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 03:40 PM

This is my attempt to represent the tune to the first song.

I have to type fast because the place I'm working is about to close.

The top line is the chords. The second line is the notes. The fourth line is the rhythm. "8" is an eighth-note, "4" a quarter-note, "2" a half-note. "d" stands for a dot. It's in 6/4 time. Unfortunately, I don't have time to check the position of the bar lines, which the vertical characters should represent. The underscores are just there to keep the browser and/or forum software from collapsing the spaces. With a fixed-width font, everything should line up properly.

Anyone who wants to play this is invited to add his or her own twiddly bits.

I've got a melody and chords for number 5, "Mambrino's Helmet", but not enough time to type it in. I haven't written melodies for the others.

Don Quixote I

Copyright (C) 2008 Laurence D. Finston

Copying is permitted provided this copyright notice is preserved




___________D
A___A___|__D__D_C#__D__E__F#__D
Don_Qui_|__xo_te____de_la_Man_cha,
8___8______4__8_8___8__8__4___4

_________A_______________D
F#__F#_|_E__A__B_____C#__D_____|
Was_a__|_he_ro_brave_and_bold;_|
8___8____4d_8__8_____8___2

___________D
A___A___|__D__D_C#__D__E__F#__D
Don_Qui_|__xo_te____de_la_Man_cha,
8___8______4__8_8___8__8__4___4

_________A_______________D
F#__F#_|_E__A__B_____C___D_____|
Was_a__|_he_ro_brave_and_bold;_|
8___8____4d_8__8_____8___4


__________D_________A7_______Bm
F#__G___|_A____A_B__G_____A__F#_D
Of__his_|_migh_ty___deeds_of_va_lor
8___8_____4____8_8__8_____8__4__4


__________G__________Em________A7
A____A__|_B_A__G_F___E_____D___C#
And__ad___ven__tures_tales_are_told.
8_____8_|_8_8__8_8___8_____8___2

__________D
A___A___|_D____D_C#___D_____E__F#_D
Of__his_|_migh_ty_____deeds_of_va_lor
8___8_____4____8_8____8_____8__4__4

__________A____________________D
F#___F#_|_E____A_____B_____C___D_____|
And__ad_|_ven__tures_tales_are_told._|
8____8____4d___8_____8_____8___2d

Subject: RE: My Don Quixote songs (Piers Plowman)
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 06:35 AM

The range of the song is only a fifth, so there's no need to distinguish octaves. In the first one, I should have distinguished them, since the B part (of the AABA pattern) is higher than the A part.

There are a couple of places where an extra word needs to be fit into a dotted quarter-note. In the second verse, the first word ("A") is a pickup and the stress should fall on "barber". Other verses may require some adaptation.

The Adventure of Mambrino's Helmet

(Part I, Book III, Chapter 7)

Copyright (C) 2008 Laurence D. Finston


D_______________Em_____G
D___E___F#_D__|_E___F#_G__E______
Don_Qui_xo_te_|_was_a__he_ro,
4d__8___4__4____4d__8__4__4

A7___________________D__
C#_______D___E__C#_|_F#_E__D____|
A__stran_ger_ev_er_|_he_to_fear,|
4d_______8___4__4____4__4__2

D________________Em_______G__
D___E__F#__D___|_E___F#___G___E________________|
And_he_won_Mam_|_bri_no's_hel_met,_____________|
4d__8__4___4_____4d__8____4___4_(long_fermata)

A7___
E_______F#_G____E______|
In_arms_de_ligh_ting,__|
4d______8__4____4

Bm_(F#m_on_repeat, see below)
F#_G___A____F#____|
E__vil_figh_ting,_|
4d_8___4____4

Em_____G_____________D__A7__D
E__F#__G______E____|_F#_E___D
In_the_spring-tide_|_of_the_year.
4d_____4______4______4__4___2

A7
E_______F#_G____E______|
In_arms_de_ligh_ting,__|
4d______8__4____4

F#m
F#_G___A____F#____|
E__vil_figh_ting,_|
4d_8___4____4

Em_____G_____________D___A7__D
E__F#__G______E____|_F#__E___D
In_the_spring-tide_|_of__the_year.
4d_____4______4______4__4___2