R. Macray

An All American Suite

This suite is based on 4 american folksongs.1. 'Go tell it on the Mountain' - A light swinging negro spiritual telling in many ways: 'Our Lord Jesus Christ is born'.2. 'Sweet Betsy from Pike' - This is the story of the girl who crossed the big prairie with her brother Mike. The setting has a reminiscene of the French 'Musette Waltz' because it was said that Betsy originally came from Paris.3. 'The Fiddler in the Rain' - This is the song from the play 'The Arkansas Traveller' which was very popular in Ohio in the 1850's.4. 'Johnny and Frankie' - This is the combination of 2 songs 'When Johnny comes home' and 'Frankie and Johnny'. The lyrics of the songs have nothing in common, but the two melodies seem to be made to blend perfectly.