August 22, 2009

O Temperance

Lara Scott            posted 18 Aug 2009, 10:55 AM

Does anyone remember Mervyn Thompson’s “O Temperance” as performed some time in the 70s by the Chch Theatre Trust (forgive me if I have any names wrong!)

As a child I remember being sung the song sung by the child in the production. I can remember the melody for the verses, but not the chorus, and its driving me batty. Can anyone please remind me how it goes?!

Thanks!

Richard Grevers                posted 21 Aug 2009, 11:12 PM

I hope this is the one you mean: (And if New Zealand had a fair use provision in its copyright act, this would constitute a fair use, being a small portion of a work):

Father, dear father, come home with me now |

The clock in the steeple strikes one|

You said you were coming right home from the shop|

As soon as your day’s work was done|

The fire has gone out, the house is all dark|

And mother’s been watching since tea|

With poor brother Benny so sick in her arms|

And no one to help her but me.|

CHORUS (Becoming a choir)

Hear the sweet voice of the child|

Which the night winds repeat as they roam.

(I can add the second and third verses if you like, but I thought I’d better check that it was the right song first.

Lara Scott            posted 22 Aug 2009, 02:23 PM

Thank you!

Yes, this is the piece to which I was referring. If you can tell me how the chorus goes, that would be fantastic!

Thanks