10:00
The Old Songs, Scena for Soprano and Three Instruments, is a little music drama that proceeds in a series of 12 Italianesque set pieces:
I have been playing the old songs, all that I learned in the old life I call my self.
I have a tin harmonica, broken reeds on three notes, but perfection is not my goal.
These days I have to read the lyrics. Of course! I have to read the lyrics. I cannot remember wordsafter the first verse.
But as I read them now I am ashamed. My mother sang them, I harmonized! My brother, sister, father...I harmonized!
My brother, sister, father all singing old songs.
To forget old songs is to lose life.
--Adapted by Zae Munn from “The Old Songs” by Paul Munn
