Work
Mister Nobody
for SAB choir and piano
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About
The poem Mr Nobody exists in several versions, although most agree on the first two stanzas. It is generally attributed as being by anonymous , although some sources credit it to Walter de la Mare amongst others. For this setting I used the first version I came across – a version of four stanzas, although the 3rd and 4th stanzas are not amongst the most commonly quoted versions.
As anyone who has dealt with young children will know, there is never anyone around to take the blame for misdemeanors – it’s always ‘nobody’ who committed the crime! So here is a setting of the poem honoring that 'Mr Nobody' who is always the character behind those little things that happen around the house. The lively music uses a range of irregular time signatures, notably ten-in-a-bar patterns.
Difficulty note
Suitable for school and community choirs
Dedication note
Written for the Suono Bellissimo of Motueka High School and conductor Hilary Sinclair
Text note
Anonymous text