The Owl and the Pussy-Cat

This is the version for SAB. If you would like to see the versions for SSA or SATB, please click here:
SSA
SATB

SAB and Piano

c. 3’50”

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
“O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!”

Pussy said to the Owl, “You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?”
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-Tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.”
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

Edward Lear (1812-1888)

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact pageI am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

The Angel Gabriel

SAB and Piano/Organ

c. 2’45”

Recorded virtually by Alex Scott and Esther Bersweden, 2020. Piano: Alex Scott

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
‘All hail,’ said he, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady,’ Gloria!

‘For know a blessed Mother thou shalt be,
all generations laud and honour thee,
thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
most highly favoured lady,’ Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
‘To me be as it pleaseth God,’ she said,
‘my soul shall laud and magnify his holy Name.’
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say –
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!

Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)

RSCM Carols for Sopranos, Altos
and Unison Lower Voices

Published by RSCM in September 2020, this anthology contains Esther’s setting of 
The Angel Gabriel.