Let's wallop a weasel - John Rutter, Richard Hickox, R Baker, King's Singers, CLS

The Wind in the Willows: The recapture of Toad Hall: Let's wallop a weasel
From the album ‘Three Musical Fables'

Composer John Rutter
Conductor Richard Hickox
Narrator Richard Baker
Choir The King's Singers
Orchestra City of London Sinfonia

Buy, download or stream here: https://www.smarturl.it/ThreeMusicalFables

Find more of the catalogue and curated playlists by subscribing to the channel:
http://bit.ly/2uQMe9P

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnruttermusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnmrutter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnrutter.composer/
Website: https://www.johnrutter.com
Badger: Unhappy animal! Homeless reprobate!
Dispossessed dissolute!
Toad: Steady on, old chap! It’s only me, your old friend, Toad! Why hallo, Rat! Hallo Mole! Why don’t you all come down to my place for a spot of luncheon?
Badger: Luckless Toad! You no longer have a place!
While you were in prison, Toad Hall was invaded by the weasels, the ferrets and the stoats.
Toad: Oh horror! Catastrophe appalling! Oh misery! Oh injustice! Now I’m ruined! Alack!
Badger: Now listen to me, Toad: all is not lost, undeserving though you are; I have a plan. We must arm ourselves with knives, with cudgels, and with pistols of alarming aspect; gain entry to Toad Hall by a secret tunnel, then we advance upon the weasels and the ferrets and the stoats, brandishing our weapons and singing a ferocious and blood-curdling chorus.
Rat, Mole and Toad: A ferocious and blood-curdling chorus?
Badger: Indeed; with solos by Toad. The weasels, the ferrets and the stoats will all flee in abject and mortal terror! Comrades, advance!
Badger, Rat, Mole and Toad: Let’s wallop a weasel, let’s strangle a stoat!
Let’s frazzle a ferret or two – have ’em by the throat!
Twist their arms and pull their necks until their eyes go pop;
Toad Hall is Toad’s hall – let’s go over the top!
Mole: Tiptoe up the staircase . . .
All: Tiptoe, tip!
Badger: Potter down to the pantry . . .
All: Pit-pat-pit!
Rat: Back again to the foot of the stairs,
Badger: Catch the villains unawares,
Mole: Lay them neatly out in pairs,
Toad: Listen while they say their prayers,
All: Let’s go over the top!
Pin ’em up by the ears, chaps,
Spear ’em down to the floor!
Weaselburger and chips
Is a treat we all adore!
Rat: Shred the stoats in little bits,
Toad: Let’s have a ferret chop!
All: It’s weasel-whackin’ good,
So, let’s go over the top! (Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!)
Mole: Watch it! There goes a weasel!
All: Thunk! Thunk! Splat!
Toad: Strike him! Yes, it’s a stoat!
All: Got him! Squashed him flat!
Rat: Ferret by the door there,
He’d look more peaceful dead!
All: Yes, Toad Hall is Toad’s hall;
Have we taken care of them all?
Badger: Search behind the garden wall!
Toad: Didn’t I hear a weasel call?
Two weasels : Blimey, let’s get out of here quick!
Rat, Mole, Badger and Weasels: He’s gone over the top!

Narrator: Every last weasel, ferret and stoat fled in panic and disorder, and Toad Hall was once more Toad’s. Badger lectured Toad sternly, reminding him that his folly and boastfulness had nearly cost him his liberty and his home, and Toad promised to mend his ways. The next night a celebration banquet was held at Toad Hall, and everyone made merry. It was nearly midnight when Badger rose to his feet and addressed the assembled company.
(Words by David Grant)

Three Musical Fables
This album brings together three musical fables written by John Rutter: The Reluctant Dragon; The Wind in the Willows; and Brother Heinrich’s Christmas (built around the legend that In dulci jubilo was first sung by angels who appeared to a medieval monk.)

John Rutter, English composer and conductor, is associated with choral music throughout the world. His recordings with the Cambridge Singers (the professional chamber choir he set up in 1981) have reached a wide global audience, many of them featuring his own music in definitive versions. Among John’s best-known choral works are Gloria, Requiem, Magnificat, Mass of the Children, and Visions, together with many church anthems, choral songs and Christmas carols.

Contact
info@collegium.co.uk

Comments

  • ×