Sarah Binks, A Musical Tribute - Library2

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ALL:
SHALL FREEDOM SHRIEK AGAIN,
SHALL FREEDOM WAIL,
OR STAND AT LAST, AGHAST,
WITH UNFURLED TAIL,
SHALL IT BENEATH THE IRON
TYRANT'S GUM-SHOE QUAIL
NAY! NOT WHILE YET IS LEFT
THE WIND WHEREWITH TO SOUND
THE BAGPIPE, NOT WHILE YET IS LEFT
THE STICK WHEREWITH TO POUND
THE SNARE-DRUM, NOT WHILE YET THE BLOOD
OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
FLOWS IN OUR VEINS,
SHALL THESE, OUR FOES, SUCCUMB US.
HIEBERT: As compelling as this martial anthem is, it is, of course, a poetic
digression, for it was the pastoral simplicity of the barren plains that inspired her
finest lyrics.
MUSIC I:18 “ODE TO SPRING”
HIEBERT: Hearken to the full-throated Sarah in the orgasmic euphoria of
spring in Saskatchewan:
SARAH:
ALL:
'TIS NOT FOR LONG THE BIRD SHALL CREEP
BENEATH A PILE OF MOULDY STRAW;
EFTSOONS, NOT LONG THE CHILL WINDS SWEEP,
AND POWDERED SNOW-BANK FOUR FEET DEEP,
PILE UP, PILE UP, IN ROUNDISH HEAP,
PILE UP, PILE UP, IN ROUNDISH HEAP:
FOR SPRING IS COMING WITH ITS MIRTH,
AND BREEZY BREATH OF BALMY WARMTH,
AND BURBANK, BOBOLINK, AND SNEARTH
SHALL BANISH WINTER'S CHILL AND DEARTH,
AND LUSCIOUS JOY SHALL FILL THE EARTH,
AND LUSCIOUS JOY SHALL FILL THE EARTH.
HIEBERT: 'Ode to Spring' created a furore when it was published in The
Horse-Breeder's Gazette. It struck a deep chord in the hearts of Saskatchewan
people. It had been a miserable winter. The roads were blocked, and
thermometers were registering temperatures of sixty-eight to seventy-five below
zero. Suddenly the voice of Sarah, The Sweet Songstress, burst upon them like
a Madrigal of cheer. Spring was coming; the burbank and the snearth were
imminent. No wonder Saskatchewan took her to its broad, flat bosom! Sarah
awoke to find herself, if not yet famous, at least a local celebrity.