In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Laughing Song

Music by David Brunner, Lyrics by William Blake

Laughing Song" is a lyric poem, written in three stanzas of four-beat lines rhyming aabb. The title of this poem and its rhyme scheme is very appropriate for the message that Blake is trying to convey. The title in itself states that this is a song about laughter, and the three stanzas give this impression, especially in the final line of the second stanza: "With their sweet round mouths sing 'Ha, Ha, He.' "[1], and the final line of the third stanza: "To sing the sweet chorus of 'Ha, Ha, He.' "

Using words like "sing" and "chorus" to emphasize it as well. Blake's sets out to lure readers to the happiness of the prelapsarian times, when things were unspoiled and innocent. Blake is inviting the readers to take part in the celebration after all nature and all the people have begun to laugh and be merry, he wants all to come join in the song. In the idea of prelapsarian/postlapsarian times, he knows that this great joy won't last forever. This is why the poem begins with the laughter and happiness of nature in the first stanza, personifying the wood, hills, and air. In the second stanza, Blake gradually goes on to the "grasshopper" and "Mary and Susan and Emily," the children who will also join in the singing of the "Ha, Ha, He." The children and grasshopper also reiterates the idea of innocence and joy. Using repetition of the words "merry" and "laughs/laughing" also emphasises the overall tone of the poem.

Laughing Song

Michigan State Vocal Music Association All State Honors Choir, Andre Thomas, conductor

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-2 of 2 items.

Bemidji Choir and Chamber Singers : Love Like Spring

Founded in 1937 by Carl O. Thompson, the 41-strong, mixed-voice Choir, comprised of undergraduate students at Bemidji (MN) State University, has earned an international reputation for excellence. Touring internationally every three years, representing the US in international choral festivals like "The Europa Cantat," the Choir regularly appears at local and national ACDA conventions. Included on "Love like Spring" are 16 cuts by the whole Choir, and 5 by the Choir's elite Chamber Singers. Particularly nice are Palestrina's "Alma Redemptoris Mater," Robert Kreutz' powerful, surprising "Spring Grass," "Silent, O Moyle," and four "Songs of Innocence" by Earl George, "Piping Down the Valleys Wild," "The Shepherd," "Infant Joy" and "Laughing Song." By the Chamber Singers, we really liked Thomas Morley's "Shoot False Love, I Care Not" and "April Is In My Mistress' Face," and the harmonious "Of the Father's Love Begotten." "Love like Spring" is a joy from start to finish!

Songlist: Alma Redemptoris Mater, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, O Magnum Mysterium, Spring Grass, Thoughts on Love:, Love and Time, Love and Age, Lux Aurumque, Och jungfrun hon gar I ringen, Panis Angelicus, Silent, O Moyle, Songs of Innocence:, Piping Down the Valleys Wild, The Shepherd, Infant Joy, Laughing Song, Shall I Compare Thee, Tonight Eternity Alone, If Music Be the Food of Love, Chamber Singers:, Shoot False Love, I Care Not (, April Is In My Mistress' Face, Io mi son giovinetta, Of the Father's Love Begotten, She Walks In Beauty

Nebraska Children's Choir : The Circle of Time

This compact disc was released by Bel Canto in 2001, and features colorful classical and folk songs from across the globe. All treble music. This CD showcases the many talents of this group. Selections range from classical to folk songs to 20th century avant-garde works. Conducted by Z. Randall Stroope.

Songlist: Caritas Abundat, Gaudette, Magnificat In G, Lascia Ch'io Pianga, Pueri, Concinite, In Paradidium, Aure Volanti, Ave Maria, There Is No Rose, We Rise Again, Kyrie, Agnun Dei, Laughing Song, Sympaatti, Tancnota, Altatodal, Osszegyultek, Cuatro Baladas Amarillas, In The Height Of That Mountain, The Land Was Yellow, Two Red Oxen In The Golden Field, I'm Walking Over A Sky Of Daisy, Konpira Fune Fune, In Flanders Field, Adiemus, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit

Individual Folios

Displaying 1-4 of 4 items.

Mark Patterson : Laughing Song

Mark Patterson has expertly set this William Blake text from Songs of Innocence and Experience. Easy repetition and echo-singing set the stage for quick teaching.Available separately: 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx: 1:45.

Composer: Mark Patterson

Norman Luboff : Laughing Song

Composer: Norman Luboff | Poetry By: William Blake

David C Dickau : Laughing Song

William Blake's poem dances with joy. A dramatic piano, a lofty flute, along with a rhythmic tambourine, join the voices to bring this text to brilliant life. A children's chorus could partake singing the unison laughing theme that opens the piece and reoccurs along the way amidst the story telling of the SATB choir. Flute and Treble parts available as a free download.

Composer: David C Dickau

David L. Brunner : Laughing Song

This song of playful innocence is an invitation to live and be merry. The lightness and carefree quality of the melody will bring joy to any performance. Duration: ca. 4:18.

Composer: David L. Brunner