Foster 'Gentle Annie,' Instrumental arrangement
A rendition of the Foster song (1856), which follows the stanza/refrain pattern. There is little melodic variation, but the strict meter has been loosened to allow emphasis certain words and phrases, and the harmony changed quite a bit.
Not band performances here; rather compositions.
Story behind the song
Written for my wife on what would have been our 47th anniversary. Except for a brief introduction and interludes between most stanzas and refrains, the original melody should be readily apparent throughout. The second stanza and refrain are repeated at the end, the tempo slowed to reflect the mood of the words. If one played the song backwards, he would see where the introduction and interludes come from. For those who would like to see how the words and music fit together, I will include the lyrics..as best as I can remember them
Lyrics
Thou wilt come no more, Gentle Annie;
Like a flower thy spirit did depart.
Thou art gone, alas, like the many
That have bloomed in the summer of my heart.
Refrain: Shall we never more behold thee,
Never hear thy winning voice again,
When the springtime comes, Gentle Annie,
And the wild flowers are scattered o'er the plain?
We have roamed and loved mid the bowers
When thy downy cheeks were in their bloom.
Now I stand alone mid the flowers
While they mingle their perfumes o'er thy tomb.
Refrain.
Ah, the hours grow sad while I ponder
Near the silent spot where thou art laid,
And my heart bows down when I wander
By the streams and the meadows where we strayed.
Refrain.
