The King’s singers
« Deconstructing Johann »
Lyrics:
J. S. Bach had a little problem.
J. S. Bach was in a fix.
J. S. Bach couldn’t find an answer.
What to do?
I’ve written most of a rather fabulous work!
Toccata, it’s in D minor, but now I’m feeling a bit of a jerk.
I can’t think of what should come after it.
Now, said his wife, who was resting up after her 33rd child.
Johann, my dear, you should just go to bed.
Something always comes up.
Don’t be a twit!
It’s a real crisis and I’m working to a deadline.
What can I fit?
What to fit after the great toccata
Maybe it needs to be something faster
I haven’t got a clue
and in a week the piece is due
I’m in a panic.
I’m stuck like glue.
Don’t get your knickers in a twist, Johann,
‘Those are only notes,’ you’ve always said.
There’s only twelve so use your head
How many arrangements of twelve notes can there possibly be?
That’s a problem I don’t want to deal with
How many permutations on C and D and E and F and G, A, B is a thing that I never heard of.
You can leave that to Arnold Schönberg
He is the person to do that twelve-tone thing
No! No!
It isn’t the answer, I haven’t the foggiest.
What am I gonna do?
I’m all in a panic
Aaah, no.
What can I do?
I’ve finished my toccata but I have no fugue
(Phone ringing)
Ah… and now I’ve got the fugue! […]
