SP4021
Patapan!
Music: Trad. arr. Sheena Phillips, Words: Trad. French
Voicing: SATB recorder & drum
Performance time approx: 1m 30s
Range S: d' – d'' / A: d' – d'' / T: g – d' / B: B♭ – c'
Price code: C
Complexity:
This lively French carol — which itself celebrates carolling — dates from at least as early as 1701. Guillô and Robin are characters in a number of other French carols too, and reflect the important tradition of pipe and drum repertoire, which is still played in Christmas Eve services in parts of France. (See the New Oxford Book of Carols for more fascinating background on this carol).
In this spirited folk-style arrangement, the verses are passed between upper and lower voices, while the accompanying parts sing rhythmic drum-like figures.
Both the drum part and the articulations marked in the recorder part by the arranger are for illustration purposes. Feel free to develop your own style of playing either part.
The recording is from the album All hayle to the days by the Magpie Consort, Ohio.
Guillô, up and join the fun,
Robin down your drink and come,
Make the sound of pipe and drum:
Tu re lu re lu! pa ta pa ta pan!
Make the sound of pipe and drum
To announce Noel has come.
Every year we come to sing
At the birth of our new King
With the sound of pipe and drum:
Tu re lu re lu! pa ta pa ta pan!
With the sound of pipe and drum
We announce the King has come.
Now the Devil's had his day,
And to Jesus 'Thanks!' we say.
Blow the pipe and beat the drum:
Tu re lu re lu! pa ta pa ta pan!
Blow the pipe and beat the drum:
And your nose at Satan thumb!
Closer yet than pipe and drum
God and Man will one day come.
To this tune we sing as one:
Tu re lu re lu! pa ta pa ta pan!
Closer yet than pipe and drum
God and Man will one day come.
words © Sheena Phillips 2001, based on the original French