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BRONWYNEDWARDS

musical catalyst | composer | pianist

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Posted February 15, 2017

Choral - secular >>>

Leonosa

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About "Leonosa"

"Leonosa" is the third song of the Vashon Suite: No Bridges.

Commissioned to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Vashon Island Chorale (Vashon Island, Washington state), "Vashon Suite: No Bridges" features eleven songs for SATB choir about the history, geography and romance of Vashon Island.

The 3rd song in the suite, "Leonosa" is a rollicking sea shanty in varied compound time, describing the voyages of the brig "Leonosa" (actually the Leonesa, but that's a long story) which transported lumber from Vashon Island, Washington to San Francisco, California to build infrastructure during the Gold Rush.

Additional Studio Demo (Bron's voices)

SS-201603-VS03
For SATB and piano
Lyrics and Music by Bronwyn Edwards

Performed by:

Vashon Island Chorale
South Seattle College Community Choir

Lyrics

There's gold been discovered in California,
There's gold in men's dreams as they make for the Rush!
And in San Francisco there's need for more lumber,
So sails Leonosa, the brig, to Vashon.

Hoist up the sails, boys, we're heading up north
Where settlers' axes are hewing down trees,
Sail, Leonosa, in sight of the coast!
Blow, winds, blow, as we plough through turbulent seas.

Cargoes of timber all squared for the sill
And plates and bridge timbers for trestles and rails,
Bring down the hemlocks and bring down the firs!
Pioneers on the island of trees and travail!

Hoist up the sails, boys, we're heading up north
Where settlers' axes are hewing down trees,
Sail, Leonosa, in sight of the coast!
Blow, winds, blow, as we plough through turbulent seas.

Two masts and sails for the brig Leonosa,
Men of the ocean, so brave and so bold!
Trees of Vashon destined for San Francisco,
Forging our history in the quest to discover the gold!

Hoist up the sails, boys, we're heading up north
Where settlers' axes are hewing down trees,
Sail, Leonosa, in sight of the coast!
Blow, winds, blow, as we plough through turbulent seas.

Blow, ye winds, blow, blow, ye winds, blow,
Blow, ye winds, as we plough through the sea! Through the sea, Leonosa!

Available at www.jwpepper.com as printed copies or digital download.

View partial score (pages 1-4) in PDF format

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