Klarinet Archive - Posting 000072.txt from 2004/07

From: ormondtoby@-----.net (Ormondtoby Montoya)
Subj: Re: [kl] Lilliburlero
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 14:47:27 -0400

John=A0Dablin wrote:

> But it's surprising that the World Service is
> *still* using it as a station jingle in this
> politically correct age (or perhaps it isn't, it's a
> few years since I heard it last?) Just curious.

An online newsletter dated March 1998:

> http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Wor934.txt

said that BBC decided to drop the tune (in March 1998) because it is too
"jingoistic".

Judging from Internet articles, the history of Lilliburlero was once a
'hot button' in some circles. The English assertions were based on
Purcell's version, but nowadays historians appear to agree that Purcell
'stole' it also --- as Tony Wakefield has already posted. (The copy
that I have describes Lilliburlero as "Traditional English Melody".)

That's what can make history interesting. The tune's ancestry wouldn't
attract attention by itself --- lots of folk tunes have been 'borrowed'
--- but it's the emotions involved with nationalism & wars & politics,
and the change from military marching song to Italian love song --- as
well as the fact that nobody has wanted to stand up and say "Yes, I
rearranged an old folk tune" --- that provide the interest.

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