IN THE SHADOW OF PINES - Daniel Boothe

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Ledford Senior High School is located in Thomasville, North Carolina, a town nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “Pretty Saro” originated in this area and is possibly one of the most lovely although lesser known folk songs of Appalachia. It is a lament expressing loneliness and a yearning for lost love. Many variations of the song have been collected and performed as noted in Cecil Sharp’s “English Folk-Songs of the Southern Appalachians.” However, my source material was based on Marshall Bartholomew’s transcription as sung by Mrs. James G. Stikeleather at Asheville, N.C., September 1924. It is printed among 14 others in “Mountain Songs of North Carolina” (published by G. Schirmer).

Most folk songs are strophic; repeating the melody but with different verses or lyrics. In this work, the theme (first in the solo clarinet) is repeated throughout but with variations on texture and rhythm. Therefore, it is important that the theme is heard at all times and performed expressively.

The story often told in “Pretty Saro” speaks of a man who has come to this country in 1749 [beginning].  He finds himself alone in a valley where the birds whistled notes increase [m10] and looks around for a true love but finds none. He begins to think of home and remembers his love,“Pretty Saro” [m23].  Dreaming about her, he wishes to give her a big house, many fine things, or even be a poet and write her a letter expressing his deep affections [m37].  However, his dream is only a dream and he must move on with his life in Appalachia, merely thinking of her wherever he goes [m59 to the end].

North Carolina is a state rich with natural beauty and grandeur.  The western mountains, an extension of the Blue Ridge, are especially spectacular to view and encompass a deep cultural history.  They are peppered with and often surrounded by pine trees, the official  state tree of N.C. I imagined these mountains, their memories, and the long-lost loves, casting shadows down below … 

Piccolo

2 Flutes

Oboe

1st B flat Clarinets

2nd B flat Clarinets

3rd B flat Clarinets

B flat Bass Clarinet

2 Bassoons

1st E flat Alto Saxophone

2nd E flat Alto Saxophone

B flat Tenor Saxophone

E flat Baritone Saxophone

3 B flat Trumpets

4 F Horns

3 Tenor Trombones

2 Euphoniums

2 Tubas

Timpani (5 Drums)

Mallets (2 or 3 Players)

Percussion (3 Players)

C. 5 minutes