Sonatas I
Sonata is to symphony as simple nature is to dramatic landscapes...
A Pastorale
Words by Khaetidawne Quirk
Walking quickly on a brisk day,
Nearly cloudless was the sky
Took a path those lacking vision might say -
"Hmmph! Don't go there! Have you lost your mind?"
"That path goes nowhere, Leads to nothing!
There is nothing special there for you to find!"
But I could see 'The Trees Majestic' - all lined up in a row
So I took the path untouched and lovely
Where no one else deigned for to go...
Allegro non troppo |
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| Sonatas I-1 (allegro non troppo) | Sonatas I-2 (allegro non troppo) |
| The Path along the curved road
underneath the cloudless sky Led to beauty sweet and simple as I walked till the sun was high- With tall grasses on the right of me - the left lined with ancient trees; I told myself as I sat to rest - who has such lovely days as these? |
Before me all the trees so tall - Still in a line - were on a sloping hill; |
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| Sonatas I-3 (allegro non troppo) | Sonatas I-4 (allegro non troppo) |
| Beyond it I saw a clearing with a
house so small I found it beautiful, serene, and still |
I knew I'd find peace where simple
nature abounds Wanting more - I knew I had to just turn around - I looked back to see glorious river rocks on display Reflections of ancient trees as I go on my way... |
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| Sonatas I-5 (allegro non troppo) | |
| Till I come to a place so refined I
can't stay, Though still lovely and bright on this glorious day - I turn back for simple nature to dream and pass time away... |
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Adagio |
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| Sonatas I-6 (adagio) | Sonatas I-7 (adagio) |
| I find a path into nature as if it leads to a dream | Lined by more kinds of wildflowers than I've ever seen |
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| Sonatas I-8 (adagio) | Sonatas I-9 (adagio) |
| In seclusion 'neath the sunshine
with trees all around - Reflecting in the cool water of the pool that I found - At last I knew what it meant long long ago To feel I was the first one to come to this place no one has been to This place that 'No One Else Can Know'.... |
Reluctantly, I left 'The Hidden
Pool' and on the path again I came upon an ancient tree - It's beauty was quite plain Surrounded by wild flowers, the nearby river sang with glee I can't describe the ' Natural Magic' or 'The Quiet Majesty' |
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| Sonatas I-10 (adagio) | Sonatas I-11 (adagio) |
| Turning toward the forest side
instead of toward the River Wide To name each wild flower - how I tried Though I found I could name every tree Before I'd leave this fantasy... |
Back toward the river in the sun
before this part of my journey's done I saw ahead, at the river's bend another path ahead of me The air was nice and the day was young I would go on the path - to see what I would see... |
Scherzo |
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| Sonatas I-12 (scherzo) | Sonatas I-13 (scherzo) |
| The river narrowed at the end, There was a hidden curve at the river's bend - The path I clearly saw in the distance there Was the right path to take - I found such wonders rare! |
First I came upon a huge unusual
tree If 'twere in Ireland - they'd say "For sure 'twas where all the fairies be" It was covered with wild flowers of every kind Especially the ones that like to climb... |
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| Sonatas I-14 (scherzo) | Sonatas I-15 (scherzo) |
| Speaking of climbing - I went up top Carefully - I didn't want to drop I saw the river when I looked down I looked for other pathways turning all around... |
A little tree bare of leaves stood
down right next to the river bank Thought I saw a creature lurking in the pond But knew it was a log or a plank... |
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| Sonatas I-16 (scherzo) | Sonatas I-17 (scherzo) |
| The would be ‘Alligator' was - (as I
thought) a log - With a couple of turtles resting happily - Unlike the very loud, very little, Big Mouthed Frog Who sings every night to announce, "Hi there, froggie ladies! I have a great big pond Won't cha come raise tadpoles here with me!" |
Looking down the river after Thinking of the 'Big Mouthed Little Frog' I thought I'd go on down the path Just the beaver's great big pile of logs, Onward past the beaver dam and log pile I go forth with a smile ... |
Allegro con moto |
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| Sonatas I-18 (allegro con moto) | Sonatas I-19 (allegro con moto) |
| The path is waiting in the sun The day is bright my journey nearly done The Tree at this last crossroad in the woods Holds nature splendid and divine Straight from the hand of our Creator to behold by all mankind |
There's a river there behind me,
laughing merrily It's beyond my comprehension to think people cannot see It's beauty or it's majesty in its simplicity - That the sunshine on the water all alone is a spark of magic And a gift we should let be... |
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| Sonatas I-20 (allegro con moto) | Sonatas I-21 (allegro con moto) |
| Beyond these trees, a family has a
house filled with love, and they Understand what I am speaking of - they see the river every day The tree lined river framed by 'Lacey Leaves' makes a sight to please |
As little boys go fishing or paddle
boating, every summer as they may The little ones have their own tree house – They have picnics - sights like these Remind me of Tom and Huckleberry And their endless summer days of joy and ease... |
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| Sonatas I-22 (allegro con moto) | Sonatas I-23 (allegro con moto) |
| Beneath a shady tree, on a breezy
warm day we Might sit and play guitars together, just my wife and me Out of the blazing sun, until day's nearly done, we two will sing Those are the best times - times worth remembering... |
And now you see through ‘Leaves of
Lace’ That frame the peaceful river with such grace - |
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| Sonatas I-24 (allegro con moto) | |
| The sun is growing lower now and the
path to home I face I know it's time for me to go - I feel the tug - I know - My lonely love now calls - I gather all my things to go Before the darkness falls. |