Run, Toboggan, Run
Voicing: SATB a cappellaText: Holly Windle
Duration: 1:45 min.
Premiere: The MPR Carolers, Minnesota Public Radio - December 21, 2007
See the score: PREVIEW THE SCORE (pdf)
Published by: Self-published, AB-054-C7
Order now: Online order form
LISTEN:
Run, Toboggan, Run: mp3, 4:14, 2.5 MB
Performed by "Deviated Septet"
(C. Henneman Shaw, J. Rissman, L. Krider, A. Betinis, J. Stern, B. Fisher, C. Shultis, M. Meyer)
Feature webpage on Classical Minnesota Public Radio
All Things Considered interview
PROGRAM NOTE:
In 1922, Rev. Bates G. Burt, a self-taught musician, began composing Christmas carols and sending them as seasonal greeting cards to his friends, family, and parishioners. In 1942, he passed the job of composing the music to his son, Alfred Burt, a jazz trumpeter who had just received his music degree from the University of Michigan. The father-son team produced five carols together before Bates' death in 1948. Alfred Burt went on to write a total of fifteen Christmas carols, including the popular Caroling, Caroling, and Some Children See Him, made famous originally by the Voices of Jimmy Joyce and now recorded by artists all over the world. Since 2001, Abbie Burt Betinis has been continuing this family tradition begun so long ago by Bates, her great-grandfather.
More information on the Burt Family Carols here.
Run, Toboggan, Run
Anticipation's in the air,
(Run, toboggan, run!)
The snow is fresh and waiting there;
The children chatter and prepare.
(Run, toboggan, run!)
Assemble sweaters, coats and caps,
The mittens, gloves, and fleeces,
The scarves and jackets, hats with flaps -
With buttons, zippers, clips, and snaps -
So many separate pieces!
A vee of geese flies overhead
As southward their migration,
While armed with snowballs, skates, and sled,
The families frolic, noses red,
With noisy jubilation.
Oh, sledding teaches useful skills,
Philosophy and science:
Respect the steepness of the hills;
And try again, despite the spills,
To steer with self-reliance.
The safest and most pleasant way
Is taking turns and sharing;
Help rescue any runaway,
And know the risks when you display
Outrageous feats of daring.
Find happiness to hold and keep.
The joys of just an hour
Become a comfort, strong and deep
To help you when the hills are steep
With mem'ries' golden power.
December days are cold and dark
(Run toboggan, run!)
In each of us there glows a spark
Where joy and hope have left their mark.
Soon Christmas day will come.
(Run, toboggan, run...)
Text © 2007, Holly Windle. Reprinted here with permission.
Anticipation's in the air,
(Run, toboggan, run!)
The snow is fresh and waiting there;
The children chatter and prepare.
(Run, toboggan, run!)
Assemble sweaters, coats and caps,
The mittens, gloves, and fleeces,
The scarves and jackets, hats with flaps -
With buttons, zippers, clips, and snaps -
So many separate pieces!
A vee of geese flies overhead
As southward their migration,
While armed with snowballs, skates, and sled,
The families frolic, noses red,
With noisy jubilation.
Oh, sledding teaches useful skills,
Philosophy and science:
Respect the steepness of the hills;
And try again, despite the spills,
To steer with self-reliance.
The safest and most pleasant way
Is taking turns and sharing;
Help rescue any runaway,
And know the risks when you display
Outrageous feats of daring.
Find happiness to hold and keep.
The joys of just an hour
Become a comfort, strong and deep
To help you when the hills are steep
With mem'ries' golden power.
December days are cold and dark
(Run toboggan, run!)
In each of us there glows a spark
Where joy and hope have left their mark.
Soon Christmas day will come.
(Run, toboggan, run...)
Text © 2007, Holly Windle. Reprinted here with permission.
Performed by:
Deviated Septet
Rudsambee Company of Singers, Edinburgh, Scotland (Oliver Singleton, director)
Minnesota Center Chorale (J. Michele Edwards, conductor)
(Have you performed this work? Contact me to add your ensemble.)Rudsambee Company of Singers, Edinburgh, Scotland (Oliver Singleton, director)
Minnesota Center Chorale (J. Michele Edwards, conductor)