In early 2008, my friend Floyd Albert passed away, after many years of utterly defying the insults and indignities of Parkinson's disease. I first came to know and admire Floyd in 2003, when I listened to him as he recited selections of his wonderful poems, which tell of his growing up in Brooklyn during the Depression era, and of maturing and grappling with the issues of our times as well as his personal challenges.
Seeing and hearing Floyd immediately made me want to capture the great spirit of his poetry in music, and he enthusiastically agreed with the idea. "Carousel" is the piece I like best, and the one that was his favorite as well. The text follows; a link below takes you to an instrumental version of the song.
Floyd may have left us, but his spirit lives on, and his poetry will sing forever.
|
Carousel
If I weren't so frenzied and frantic,So foolish and fol-de-rol, I'd give up this dizzying antic, I'd get off this carousel. But the circle is stronger than I am, And my head is all in a whirl. I cling to the dashing pink horses, My vision wound up like a curl. I will ride while the music is playing And the bell goes on Ding, Dong, Ding. Oh, I'll never get down from this merry-go-round 'Til I've captured the last brass ring. When I've captured the last brass ring, boys, And silenced the last brass bell, Then I'll drop from my horse like pink applesauce And be done with this carousel. |
Music Copyright (c) 2004 Peter Reimold
_______________________________________________________________________
Attention
Singers:
If you are interested in performing or recording this song, please contact Peter.
_______________________________________________________________
Musicals:
read synopses and excerpts; listen to songs
Songs and instrumental
compositions: listen to samples
Videos:
view sample clips
and whole documentary and art videos
A Valley Not Far From the Sea 