The Farmer in the Dell
Book review by Trevor Agnew
The
Farmer in the Dell (2014) Trad, ill. Jenny Cooper, Scholastic, Auckland NZ, 32 pages, paperback ISBN 978 1 77543 195 4
The lyrics of the song are neatly matched by Jenny
Cooper’s illustrations. The farmer – a distinctively antipodean type – joins
hands with his wife, who is dancing in the traditional gumboots. As the song
progresses they are joined by child, nurse, cow, dog, cat, mouse and cheese.
Meanwhile the singer – a doleful looking bloodhound – sings, plays banjo and
provides the dance instructions. “Do-si-do
and take a bow!”
A simple musical score is also included.
An accompanying CD has a cheerful performance of the
song, using the musical talents of the Topp Twins, Linda and Jools. They
perform the song twice in lively country style.
The second version is timed to
allow dancers to perform the dance and comes complete with caller’s
instructions.
Trevor Agnew
10 Oct 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment