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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

This chorus - Climbing Over Rocky Mountain, was rescued by Arthur Sullivan from the lost score of Thespis, and transferred to The Pirates of Penzance. The words were no doubt suitably adjusted. We have used the 'Pirates' words for ladies' chorus, which are well known to G&S buffs!

It is fun to imagine the younger thespians climbing up the slopes of Mount Olympus, to meet the rather ancient gods with whom they are going to do a swap! It isn't difficult to hear suggestions of Offenbach in the music. Thespis was compared with his Orphée aux Enfers and La Belle Hèléne.

The ability to satirize was one of Arthur's enduring and endearing traits: he had a genius for parodying many of the great composers in these operettas, as we shall discover as we progress through the story. This fun-loving feature clearly demonstrated his musical scholarship, and the influence these composers had on his thinking. However, for now, here is an example from one of Gilbert & Sullivan's earliest collaborations . . .

Climbing Over Rocky Mountain

Short introduction - enjoy it . . .!

Climbing over rocky mountain,
Skipping rivulet and fountain,
Passing where the willows quiv-er,
Passing where the willows quiver
By the ever rolling river
Swollen with the summer rain,
The summer rain.
Threading long and leafy mazes
Dotted with un-numbered daisies,
Dotted with un-numbered dai-sies,
Scaling rough and rugged passes,
Climb the hardy little lasses,
Till the bright sea-shore they gain.
Scaling rough and rugged passes,
Climb the hardy little lasses,
Till the bright sea-shore they gain.

Short Interlude - wait for it . . .!

Let us gaily tread the measure,
Make the most of fleeting leisure,
Hail it as a true ally,
Though it perish by and by,
Hail it as a true ally,
Though it perish by and by.
Let us gaily tread the measure,
Make the most of fleeting leisure,
Hail it as a true ally,
A true ally.

This one to truly get your feet a-tapping. Hope you will join in with William and Arthur in our arrangement of one of their first collaborations. Go on, let yourself go . . .!

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