El Noi de la Mere - arranged by Michael Reichenbach

This lovely tune is a well-known favourite in the classical guitar repertoire in an arrangement by Miguel Llobet. Michael Reichenbach has arranged it for mandolin and plays it on YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka3uG-LgM4U

The title of the tune can be translated as "The Mother's Child" and is a traditional Catalan childrens' Christmas song. The tune was popular with the great guitarist Andres Segovia and it is reported that the sheet music to El Noi de la Mare was left open on the Maestro's music stand on the day of his passing, and may well have been the last piece he ever played. You can hear Segovia play the tune with his incomparable tone, here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb1MNUoJg6c&feature=related

The lyrics of the folk-song are as follows:

The Son of Mary

What shall we give to the Son of the Virgin?
What can we give that the Babe will enjoy?
First, we shall give Him a tray full of raisins,
Then we shall offer sweet figs to the Boy.
First, we shall give Him a tray full of raisins,
Then we shall offer sweet figs to the Boy.

What shall we give the Beloved of Mary?
What can we give to her beautiful Child?
Raisins and olives and nutmeats and honey,
Candy and figs and some cheese that is mild.
Raisins and olives and nutmeats and honey,
Candy and figs and some cheese that is mild.

What shall we do if the figs are not ripened?
What shall we do if the figs are still green?
We shall not fret; if they're not ripe for Easter,
On a Palm Sunday, ripe figs will be seen.
We shall not fret, if they're not ripe for Easter,
On a Palm Sunday, ripe figs will be seen.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mandolin
• llobet
• catalan

[azfender1]

You are a very talented musician who has a very good ear for beautiful music. thanks...

[southcoastsounds]

@azfender1 - thanks very much for you comment. I much appreciate it.

[Patriot3332]

Mare not Mere

[jarredbrother]

Very beautiful, I would love to learn it on my mandolin...would you be able to let me know where you learned the song?

[Mandolin1944]

Outstanding! I will have to look up the music for this song.

[MegaIamme]

wow

[fjaalle]

nice !!! =)

[st91bp7t]

very nice!