Rain Song

"Rain Song" is the second song in a set of five songs by Louise Talma, composed between 1941 and 1973. This later song of Talma's exhibits the use of 12-tone composition and the influence of Stravinsky. Text-painting and playfulness are also a part of the song. "Rain Song" sets the poem of Jean Garrigue.

Date: 1973Composer: Louise TalmaText: Jean Garrigue

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Text

Rain Song
by Jean Garrigue

My sad-bad rain that falls
In lisp and dibble-dabble
On the porch and under stairs
And puddles in the driveway
Brimmed and dolloped by the slow loitering
Of the not-quite clapping hands.
So slight they are on the primrose
Leaves and the periwinkle
And keeps such babble-babble
Going through the day.
Cats in beds sleep long
And I, I’d do the same
Or sing
If all the birds weren’t gone.
It’s silk under the elm leaves
It’s slip into the streams, that clasp the globe around.
It’s in the stealth to steal another tongue than bell
That does not strike but holds
All in its spell,
So fresh and so small.

Sheet Music

Seven Songs (Louise Talma), which includes "Rain Song"

Composer(s): Louise Talma

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