Nick a ting nock a ting

commissioned by Opus 44 women's choir, West Yorkshire (Alison Pryce-Jones, director)

this work won second prize in the Croatian Choral Directors' Association "Sounds of June" composition competition (2013)

Waivin' Mewsic

Ther's mewsic in t' shuttle, in t' loom and in't frame,
Ther's melody mingled in't noise;
For t' active ther's praises, for t' idle ther's blame,
If the'd harken to t' saand of it's voice,
An' when flaggin' a bit, how refreshin' to feel,
As you pause an' look raand on the throng,
At the clank o' the tappet, the hum o' the wheel,
Sing this plain unmistakable song:

Nick a ting, nock a ting;
Wages keep pocketin';
Workin' for little is better nor laikin';
Twist an' twine, reel an' wind;
Keep a contented mind;
Troubles are oft of a body's own makin'.

An then see what lessons are laid out anent us,
As pick after pick follows time after time,
An' warns us, tho' silent, to let nowt prevent us
From strivin' by little endeavours to climb;
T' world's made o' trifles, it's dust forms a mountain,
Then nivver despair as yor trudgin' along;
If troubles will come an' yor spirits dishearten,
Yo'll finnd ther's relief i' that staedy owd song;

Nick a ting, nock a ting;
Wages keep pocketin';
Workin' for little is better nor laikin';
Twist an' twine, reel an' wind;
Keep a contented mind;
Troubles are oft of a body's own makin'.

John Hartley (1839-1915)

• choral - high voices unaccompanied