Englishman John Francis Wade wrote this hymn in France after fleeing his home country to escape the Jacobite rebellion. Although he intended it simply as a religious hymn, it’s since become a popular Christmas carol. Modern day British, who have a knack for musical humor, have found a more dyspeptic use for this melody—when waiting in a slow moving que, some wag will launch into this tune with the words “O why are we waiting?”
On a technical note, the final chord contains every letter of the musical alphabet except “F.” (My arrangements are family oriented.) In making this setting, I tried for something ethereal, simple, and strange.
Madonna & Child: Giovanni Battista Salvi (1609-1685)
performed by Alex Massier & Tom Poore
Avon School of Music, Ohio, USA
December 11, 2018
Tom Poore © 2018. All rights reserved. Classical guitar lessons in Avon, Beachwood, Solon, South Euclid. Contact me at augustineregal@yahoo.com
