BEER - Shaped-Noted Score & Demo Solo-Quartet Recording

While Jesus is harrowing hell, I thought today might be an appropriate time to make a short demo recording of my shape-note tune "BEER". Thursday was International Transubstantiation Day (also known as Holy Thursday), where around the world, millions who consider themselves devoted Christians are drinking grape juice instead of mimosas. Download this demo mp3 here.


Happy Easter & Passover, & this song is set to a poem from William Blake's Song of Innocence & of Experience:

Dear Mother, dear Mother, the Church is cold,
But the Ale-house is healthy & pleasant & warm:
Besides I can tell where I am use'd well,
Such usage in heaven will never do well.

But if at the Church they would give us some Ale.
And a pleasant fire, our souls to regale:
We'd sing and we'd pray all the live-long day:
Nor ever once wish from the Church to stray.

And God like a father rejoicing to see.
His children as pleasant and happy as he:
Would have no more quarrel with devil or barrel
But kiss him & give him both drink and apparel.

Remember, earlier I posted a solo version of this song, more free & lonesome if that's the way you like your beer.