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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Rataplan is Sergeant Bouncer's song, which is the opening song in the show, Cox And Box. The sergeant is described in the Vocal Score as 'A Lodging House Keeper, with military reminiscences'! He was chatting with 'Colonel Cox' about his new haircut, which reminded him of his own connections with the Militia - 'Ah! now' said Mr Cox (as he exited) 'he's off on his hobby' . . .

Rataplan
(brief Introduction)

We sounded the trumpet, we beat the drum,
Somehow the enemy, Somehow the enemy, 
Somehow the enemy didn't come . . .
So I gave up my horse
In Her Majesty's force,
As there wasn't a foeman
To meet with the yeoman;
And so no invasion . . .
Threatened the nation . . .
There wasn't a man,
In the rear, or the van,
Who found an occasion,
There wasn't a man,
In the rear, or the van,
Found an occ--asion, to sing---

 Rataplan!  Rataplan! Rataplan! Rataplan! 
Rata plan, plan, plan,
plan, plan, plan,
plan, plan, plan, plan
Rata plan--, plan--, plan--,
Ah!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rataplan . . .!
Rataplan---!

It's very rousing isn't it? (But then the score is marked Allegretto marziale). Sullivan obviously enjoyed composing the piece, and it's a lovely wistful backward glace when he changes from a robust E minor to a soft E major key for the Ratplans (bugle calls?). Hope you enjoyed joining in our arrangement with Arthur's song.

Next a A Lullaby! with a difference from Mr Box.

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