Chanticleer and the Fox
Chanticleer and the Fox
Copyright 2007 by Jeff Suzuki
After I finished Robbers Three, I had every intention of lyricizing (chantifying? What's the term for putting something to music?) other stories from Chaucer. I wrote down a number of verses for a song for the Summoner's tale. One day I'll finish it. In the meantime, I came across the Nun Priest's tale, retold as a children's story.
Here's a boring anecdote that I include only because it's a plug for my latest book. When I read the children's story, I thought “Gee, that's a clever little story; I'll have to look up the original.” Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I'd read the story before! This wasn't a question of reading the original and recognizing it. I wrote a brief blurb about the story, because the prolog mentions the mathematician Thomas Bradwardine (1295-August 26, 1349).
The music is Heart's Ease; this is fourth or fifth set of lyrics I've written to that particular tune.
When Chanticleer the rooster king His death in dreams foretold. The fav'rite of his seven wives Her husband turned to scold. “A doglike beast of yellow-red And blacktipped ears and tail? A dream like that is surely caused From colic, gas, and ale! “No coward shall I have for mate Forget your foolish fear, No portents of the future can In fitful sleep appear.” But late that day a wily fox Did creep into the pen. With honey'd voice he lured the cock To close his eyes and then--- He seized the rooster by the breast And to the woods did race, The hens and geese and widow too All fruitlessly gave chase. So Chanticleer said “Were I you, I'd taunt these peasant folk.” The fox agreed and turned his head And this is what he spoke. “Begone, base villains, none shall take This meal from me today!” But when the fox let loose his jaw The rooster flew away The fox said “Friend, why do you flee? I meant no harm to do!” Said Chanticleer “No flattery Shall lure me twice to you!” The fox rued that he'd spoken so The rooster's words did cut. For he'd have kept his tasty prize Had he kept his mouth shut.
