The Musical Birthday Series - March 12 - Thomas Augustine Arne

In honor of Thomas Augustine Arne's (12 March 1710– 5 March 1778) birthday, here is the first verse of "Rule, Britannia!" re-written as a limerick.

Britannia Redux

When Britain at Heaven’s command

Arose from the watery strand,

Britannia vowed

To never be bowed,

Or cumbered in slavery’s band.

(original text from The Poetical Works of James Thomson [Boston, 1854], from my collection)

The Musical Birthday Series - March 11 - Carl Ruggles

The complete works of American composer Carl Ruggles (March 11, 1876 – October 24, 1971) were recorded on only two LPS, so it seemed appropriate that his birthday verse be terse.

Short… (and Sweet?)

Nobody snuggles

To music by Ruggles.