American Tune

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American Tune

2004-07-26 02:40 pm

does anyone have the nwc file or midi file for
Paul Simon's American Tune in a SATB or SAB version?

thanks
Mike

Re: American Tune

Reply #1 – 2004-07-26 03:51 pm

The basic melody is actually a church hymn, in the public domain. I have sung it, with the religious words. Don't recall its standard melody name - I believe it goes back to about the 18th century, Northern Europe. If someone recollects the melody name (or if Paul Simon's album mentions it), I am sure you can find a MIDI by searching among hymn resources.

Re: American Tune

Reply #2 – 2004-07-26 04:58 pm

The English title is "O Sacred Head Sore Wounded", and it's used by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion in several places. I don't know if Bach wrote the tune or just harmonised it. Martin Luther may have written it, now that I think of it. Simon's version quotes from the tune, but adds some other melodic material and of course puts his own spin on it.

Re: American Tune

Reply #3 – 2004-07-26 10:00 pm

Ah, yes, that rings a bell. I have sung it as "O sacred head surrounded." The lyrics and MIDI can be found here:

http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/o/o541.html

Re: American Tune

Reply #4 – 2004-07-27 12:43 am

I could have sworn that tune was called "O Sacred Head Now Wounded."

Re: American Tune

Reply #5 – 2004-07-27 08:40 am

There are many translations of the original German O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden, actually translated by by P Gerhardt from the even more original Latin Salve caput cruentatum.

The tune is by H.L. Hassler (1564-1612) considerably before Bach's time. Bach harmonised it.

Interestingly, the link above gives a slightly different arrangement of the harmony to that which I know. That version can be found at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/s/osacredh.htm

together with a more detailed history.

Re: American Tune

Reply #6 – 2004-07-27 08:14 pm

That's the version that I know, exceptthetempoismuchtoofast.