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Music

‘Sonnet 18’: A Song Inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet by Gunny Markefka

The Society
April 23, 2025
Music, Poetry, Shakespeare
8 Comments
. Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all...

A Poem and Song for St. Patrick’s Day: ‘The Session’ by Jeff Eardley

The Society
March 17, 2025
Beauty, Music, Poetry
8 Comments
. Guitar music for "Sheebag Sheemore" performed by Jeff Eardley. . The Session Monday at the Shamrock Inn, So, the session does begin, Rosin up the fiddle’s bow, Get in tune and off we go. Pipes and...

‘Strauss Vater’ and Other Poetry by Brian Yapko

The Society
February 16, 2025
Beauty, Music, Poetry
19 Comments
. Strauss Vater Scene: Vienna, Austrian Empire: Midnight, October 15, 1844. On this night the famous musician, Johann Strauss, Sr. snubbed the professional musical debut of his soon-to-be famous son, Johann...

‘Leoncavallo Fumes at the Premiere of Puccini’s La Bohème, 1896’: A Poem by Julian Woodruff

The Society
February 10, 2025
Music, Poetry
14 Comments
. Leoncavallo Fumes at the Premiere of Puccini’s La Bohème, 1896 Damn Giacomo Puccini and his little La Bohème. How dare he bring this sentimental clap–trap to the stage? Especially after hiring me to...

‘On Bill Mahrt’s Retirement as Choirmaster of the St. Ann Choir’: A Poem by Julian Woodruff

The Society
January 23, 2025
Acrostic, Beauty, Music, Poetry
18 Comments
. On Bill Mahrt’s Retirement as Choirmaster of the St. Ann Choir (June, 2024) W e all should thank our God for William Mahrt, I nto whose hands He placed a sacred trust, L eaving to him to keep the aural...

Song Version of ‘The Day the Poetry Died’ by Steve Shaffer

The Society
January 16, 2025
Culture, Music, Poetry
23 Comments
. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF6v6ES3FMU . This is song was originally a poem published by the Society of Classical Poets in March, 2018. . The Day the Poetry Died Wonder why poetry is in...

‘A Freshman Pep Talk’: A Poem by Julian Woodruff

The Society
January 4, 2025
Humor, Music, Poetry
10 Comments
. A Freshman Pep Talk ---upon reading “Composers to Listen to While Studying,”by Andrew Benson Brown, in The Epoch Times, Nov. 2, 2024 You’re ready? Get down to it, cram the night through.What a...

‘Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming’: A Musical Arrangement by James A. Tweedie

The Society
December 26, 2024
Music, Poetry
5 Comments
. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Every year I either compose new music for Christmas or create a new arrangement of a familiar carol. This year I have chosen, “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” a hymn which...

A Yuletide Medley Performed for Christmas Day by Poet Jeff Eardley

The Society
December 24, 2024
Music, Poetry
10 Comments
. Professional musician and SCP poet Jeff Eardley performs a medley of Christmas songs on his guitar. Merry Christmas from the Society of Classical Poets! . . Jeff Eardley lives in the heart of England...

A Christmastime Poem by Gigi Ryan, Sung to the Tune of ‘Sterling’

The Society
December 23, 2024
Beauty, Culture, Music, Poetry
16 Comments
. The Story the Stars are Retelling ---to the tune of 'Sterling' When burdens are heavy and Christmas is near And faraway star luster barely appears, Tomorrow’s prediction of rain with a chill Won’t drown...

‘Song of the Spirit’: A Poem by Roy E. Peterson

The Society
October 31, 2024
Beauty, Music, Poetry, The Raven
28 Comments
. Song of the Spirit After midnight slightly drowsy, Contemplating writing lousy, While the script-score I redacted, Something in my head reacted. Dreamed I heard a stirring curtain, Though my mind remained...

A Translation of the German National Anthem, by James A. Tweedie

The Society
October 3, 2024
Music, Poetry, Translation
9 Comments
. A Translation of the German National Anthem and a Musical Setting for the Tune “Austria” Some months ago, I jotted down a tune that carried a hint of familiarity. The notes bore a resemblance to the tune...

A Rosh Hashanah Poem on the Blowing of the Shofar, by Margaret Coats

The Society
October 2, 2024
Culture, Music, Poetry
24 Comments
. The Ram's Horn "A great horn shall be blown, and they that were lost shall come from the land of Assyria, and they that were outcasts from the land of Egypt, and they shall adore the Lord at the holy mount...

‘The Outdoor Concert’: A Poem by Tod Benjamin

The Society
August 9, 2024
Beauty, Music, Poetry
4 Comments
. The Outdoor Concert ---Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at Wilton House, 2004 The long thick winding snake must stretch two hundred paces, Of early birds in haste to grab the nicest places, Buy programmes,...

Poems on Artistic Collaboration and Gilbert and Sullivan, by Brian Yapko

The Society
July 21, 2024
Beauty, Music, Poetry
27 Comments
. . An Epistle of Sullivan Dear Gilbert---your libretto is delightful! A charming English-Japanese confection. I now concede my words last week were spiteful And truly earned your heated...

A Poem on a Performance of Beethoven’s ‘Appassionata’ Sonata, by Julian Woodruff

The Society
June 27, 2024
Culture, Music, Poetry
13 Comments
. Again Sir Charles Hallé plays Beethoven’s “Appassionata” Sonata for Henri–Montan Berton and Luigi Cherubini, Paris, ca. 1835 The two composers sat at rapt attention,listening to Beethoven’s...

‘The Snare Drummer’s Plight’ and Other Poetry by Martin Elster

The Society
June 20, 2024
Beauty, Music, Poetry
2 Comments
. The Snare Drummer’s Plight The highlight of the evening is Bolero. The snare drummer begins the famous beat, the marrow of the land of the torero. The players, who have sprayed themselves with...

Five Rose Poems by Rainer Maria Rilke, Translated by Alan Orsborn

The Society
June 18, 2024
Beauty, Music, Poetry, Translation
9 Comments
. . Five Rose Poems by Rainer Maria Rilke translated by Alan Orsborn . The Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), writing in both German and French, penned 24 French poems about roses that were...

‘Longfellow’s Bridge’: A Song from Longfellow’s Poem by Gunny Markefka

The Society
June 13, 2024
Music, Poetry, Song Lyrics
2 Comments
. . Download "Longfellow's Bridge" on your favorite music app HERE. . Longfellow’s Bridge (Lyrics) lyrics by Gunny Markefka, inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem (after lyrics) I stood on the...

‘Under the Umbrella’: A Poem by Joshua C. Frank, Inspired by Brassens’ Le Parapluie

The Society
June 5, 2024
Love Poems, Music, Poetry, Translation
23 Comments
. Under the Umbrella inspired by “Le Parapluie” (“The Umbrella”) by Georges Brassens (1921-1981) Rain fell in waves throughout the street; A woman walked with no umbrella. I offered mine; in voice real...

‘The Harmonies of Holst’: A Poem by Mary Jane Myers

The Society
June 4, 2024
Beauty, Blank Verse, Music, Poetry
10 Comments
. The Harmonies of Holst While doing errands, driving roundabout, I listen to the classic music station. An orchestra plays a courtly lyric song. What can it be? I know it well, but how? Perhaps a ballad...

‘The Figure Skater’ and Other Poems by Daniel Kemper

The Society
June 3, 2024
Beauty, Music, Poetry
14 Comments
. The Figure Skater Across the frozen way, stamping, sprinting, faster as hurried steps display something that she'll master her body starts to sway faster, ever faster. Wind and its turbulence eddying over...

‘Herman the Cripple’: A Poem by Margaret Coats

The Society
May 16, 2024
Culture, Music, Poetry
44 Comments
. Herman the Cripple A body helpless in deformity Was mine, though loving parents carried me Full seven years in sick infirmity, Then placed me in the monks’ academy. Their island abbey Reichenau became My...

‘Look Homeward, Sweet Afton’: Poem by Brian Yapko, Set to Music by Jeff Eardley

The Society
May 14, 2024
Beauty, Culture, Music, Poetry, Song Lyrics
32 Comments
. Music by Jeff Eardley . Look Homeward, Sweet Afton after Robert Burns Look homeward, Sweet Afton, back to thy green braes, Recalling with pride Britain’s glorious days. Then forward flow strongly, I pray...

‘The Devil’s Trill’: A Poem on Tartini’s Famous Violin Piece, by Julian Woodruff

The Society
April 26, 2024
Acrostic, Music, Poetry
21 Comments
. The Devil’s Trill I.     A heavy meal and three glasses of port Weighed down Tartini when at length he rose From supper to retire. “Ah, there he goes— Tartini, feted at each royal...

A Country Song on China and the CCP, by Evan Mantyk (Music Added)

The Society
April 24, 2024
Human Rights in China, Music, Poetry, Satire
24 Comments
. Lyrics and vocals by Evan Mantyk / guitar by Jeff Eardley . The CCP Song (CCP: Chinese Communist Party) The world ain’t got the balls to take on China And all them greedy nations wanna sign a Free trade...

‘The Tenpenny Bit’ and ‘Kesh Jig’: Tunes for St. Patrick’s Day Performed by Jeff Eardley

The Society
March 17, 2024
Music, Poetry
21 Comments
. Musician and SCP poet Jeff Eardley performs the traditional Irish tunes "The Tenpenny Bit" and "Kesh Jig" in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Enjoy! . . Jeff Eardley lives in the heart of England near to...

‘An Idyll at the Local Diner’ and Other Poems by Sally Cook

The Society
February 26, 2024
Beauty, Music, Poetry
13 Comments
. An Idyll at the Local Diner There is this place where you can get a fill And top your tank off any time of day. Amid the ketchup jugs upon display Some big-boned girls will hug you, give a thrill… It’s...

‘Old Clem’: Song from Dickens’ Great Expectations Set to Music by Jeff Eardley

The Society
February 24, 2024
Found Poem, Music, Poetry
15 Comments
. Old Clem In his novel Great Expectations, Charles Dickens refers to a song sung by blacksmiths at the forge "Old Clem," which plays an important role in the story. It is unclear whether Dickens invented this...

Poems on Bach’s Ricercar Fugue and Sonata F–A–E of Schumann et al., by Julian Woodruff

The Society
February 5, 2024
Culture, Humor, Music, Poetry
10 Comments
. A Musical Offering When Bach arrived at Sanssouci, King Frederick said, “Sir, you must be tired. My fortepianos may help to revive you. Please, come play.” While Bach was busy at the keys, the king...
poem/music/Burns/auld lang syne

An End of the Year Poem and Christmas Musical Medley by Jeff Eardley

The Society
December 28, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Music, Poetry
22 Comments
. Christmas Medley performed by Jeff Eardley . . Absent Friends The Christmas lights are twinkling on the houses all around. All we need’s a frosting and some snow upon the ground. But as this old year...

New Lyrics and a New Musical Arrangement for a Familiar French Carol, by James A. Tweedie

The Society
December 24, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Music, Poetry
6 Comments
. Author/Composer’s Note: The noël, Il est Né le Divin Enfant (“He is Born, the Divine Christ Child”) is one of the most beloved and beautiful French carols to have crossed into the English-speaking...

Translation and Musical Arrangement of Old French Carol, by James A. Tweedie

The Society
December 20, 2023
Culture, Music, Poetry, Translation
8 Comments
. Whence Come You, Shepherdess? . Translator's Note: “D’où Viens-tu, Bergère” was one of a number of old songs and carols from the French region of Périgord collected by Emmanuel Casse and Eugène...

‘Fugal Harmonies’ and Other Poetry on Music by Mary Jane Myers

The Society
December 11, 2023
Beauty, Music, Poetry
12 Comments
. Fugal Harmonies Softly chanted serpentinous neumes, melodic levitation, heavenbound, monotonal meditative sound; a capella in medieval rooms. Then Bach, delighting in the past, exhumes archaic modes. His...

‘It Was Only a Winter’s Tale’: A Christmastime Poem by Paul A. Freeman

The Society
December 9, 2023
Culture, Love Poems, Music, Poetry
20 Comments
. It Was Only a Winter’s Tale based on David Essex's classic 1982 Christmas song The nights are ever short and growing cold; the front door lies ajar from when you left one evening, though your reasons were...

‘Pythagoras, Man of Music’ and Other Poetry on Music, by Cheryl Corey

The Society
December 1, 2023
Music, Poetry
15 Comments
. Pythagoras, Man of Music Pythagoras was of mathematical mind. No matter where he went, he’d often find Relationships to numbers. For example, The clangorous peal of blacksmith hammers’ metal On metal...

‘The Return to Ithaca’: Brian Yapko’s Poem Set to Music by Jeff Eardley

The Society
November 27, 2023
Homer, Love Poems, Music, Poetry
28 Comments
. . Music by Jeff Eardley . . The Return to Ithaca by Brian Yapko This shall not be forever, This life spent on the sea. __I’m going to find my one true love And joined again we’ll be. I’ll risk...

A Poem on the Music of Schoenberg, and Other Poetry by Mary Jane Myers

The Society
November 26, 2023
Beauty, Music, Poetry
16 Comments
. Revolution Puckish Schoenberg, bored with Bach now assaults the tonic scale, pounding (his a frontal shock), on Mozart's coffin, a modernist nail. He scans the twelve established tones, then briskly rolls...

‘The Navy’ and Other Love Poems by Paul Fort, Translated by Joshua C. Frank

The Society
November 12, 2023
Love Poems, Music, Poetry, Translation
10 Comments
. The Navy by Paul Fort (1872-1960) translated by Joshua C. Frank We find them all again in brief In little loves that last one day, Every joy and care and grief Of loves that shall forever stay— The...

A Poem Inspired by Music from Aandhi, 1975: ‘Paths’ by Paddy Raghunathan

The Society
November 4, 2023
Love Poems, Music, Poetry, Villanelle
12 Comments
. Paths —Inspired by “Is Mod Se Jaate Hain” (see below) by Gulzar from the film: Aandhi, 1975 Sheer multitudes of paths diverge from here— Some are jet setters, some meander slowly— Which one among...
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  1. Margaret Coats on ‘The Spring Has Come’ and Other Poems by Alan SteinleMay 16, 2025

    Thanks for asking, Alan. I don't recall a favorite poem from the book, and I don't have it available at…

  2. Russel Winick on ‘The Water Closet’ and Other Bathroom Poetry by Cheryl CoreyMay 16, 2025

    So Cheryl - this one is in your honor, for introducing the topic: HOW TO NOT RUIN YOUR DAY For…

  3. C.B. Anderson on ‘Pressed for Time’: A Poem by C.B. AndersonMay 16, 2025

    Exactly, James. We theosophers call it the mystery of existence.

  4. C.B. Anderson on ‘Pressed for Time’: A Poem by C.B. AndersonMay 16, 2025

    Well, Alan, you must have heard already that old trope: Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to…

  5. Cheryl A Corey on ‘Going Home to Campania’: A Poem by Patricia Rogers CrozierMay 16, 2025

    Very effective how you begin and end the poem with contrasting images of both road and pines, past and present.…

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