Most of the songs I’ve written have been created for the musical Village: A Futuristic Musical for Teens. This play has 16 songs, created for young teen voices. The original audience for Village was 13-15 year olds. It has been workshopped at two junior high and two senior high schools in Calgary, Alberta. The songs and their singers in order of appearance are:
Threads of a Web – introductory solo, voice-over *
What A Difference – sung by gangs of youth, one verse for each gang of 5 teens *
Put Your Weapons on the Rack – Mr. T.R. (robot who stuns the teens temporarily)
Not For Me – parents (6 have survived with the teenagers)
Just Define the Bottom Line – Mr. T.R.
Touch Me – Tam and Sharlene
Our Kids Need A School – parents *
No School – youth *
Through My Own Door – youth
What Matters To You? – Christine (teacher)
If You Try With Me – Tam, Sharlene, Paul, Tina each sing a verse, all youth join the chorus *
My Power – four secondary characters
My Village – Tam and Sharlene *
* featured on a CD with vocals
Other songs are featured on a rehearsal CD. Scores are available for piano and voice. All songs were written by myself, originally scored by Frank McKitrick, then arranged by Dave Borrow. Dave and I have collaborated on the production of the rehearsal and performance CDs. We also re-wrote two of the songs, No School, and What A Difference, to collaborate on new tunes. Two additional songs created by Dave Borrow are instrumentals used while the actors mime speeded scenes. The rehearsal CD features Dave on keyboard, Glen Yorga on bass, and Gavin Sorochan on drums. The CDs were engineered by Peter Damico of Boxer Productions, October 2005. The scores were finessed by Jeremy Coates in 2005.
Clips from the above songs will be available once I learn how to create them!
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ANGEL CROWN
c. July 19, 2005
Norris Dam State Park, Norris Tennessee
Written after seeing an exhibit of Angel Crowns (Death Crowns) at the Museum of Appalachia, Norris TN
Angel Crown
by Sharon Montgomery
Chorus:
As the ivy winds and the sweet pea climbs
And the morning glories twist toward the sun,
So the feathers fold in a ring so bold –
You can hold within your hand this angel crown.
My child lay dying in the sick room bed.
My heart was crying ‘cause the doctor said
That her time was near, there was naught to do
But await the grace of God to take her through.
The volunteer granny came to sit with me.
No words were spoken, anyone could see
That within my hollow self I sure could drown.
She fluffed the pillow filled with fine goose down.
Chorus
When my child passed from me that long cold night
I longed to follow her toward the light.
Granny felt the pillow where my child had lain,
then smiled and nodded, “This will ease the pain.”
Granny took my hand and said “Do what you must.
There’s love remaining here that you can trust.
It’s a gift from heaven and your child to you.
Take this angel crown – it will carry you through.”
Chorus.
For within her hand was a ring so fine
Made of feathers folded in a curving line
With the points turned inward round an unseen core
With each feather flowing from this inner shore.
Now my grieving heart has begun to heal
With the love from family and friends I feel.
And among my treasures I see love profound
Every time I look upon this angel crown.
Chorus
The score is available from me. Email shmontgo@telus.net for information. Cost of the score and words to be negotiated with buyer, depending on intent. If for professional public distribution, royalty structure will be used. This song has not yet been recorded in demo or professional form.
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THE TALE OF ARIANNA
By Sharon Montgomery
This is the story of a gal named Arianna
Who lived all her life in the town of Irricana.
Her home was surrounded by a hedge of carragana.
She spent many hours on different kinds of plans a-
Bout leaving town.
She worked in the Irricana General Store.
She wished that her job could encompass much more.
She knew that out there was a world to explore,
But also she dreamt when she walks out the door
She’s not alone.
He was tall and tattooed from his shoulder to his wrist bone.
He smiled as she sold him a chocolate ice cream cone.
He gazed and he wondered just how he could win her,
Decided to ask her if she’d go to dinner
On his motorbike.
Chorus: He kissed Arianna behind the carragana
In the town of Irricana.
Oh! What a feeling!
She rode on the back of his 1200 Harley
And liked it until it broke down just past Farley.
Frustrated they waited till the tow truck arrived.
So worried he was that his “baby” had died.
They went back home.
She reached home quite late, entirely disgusted.
Her clothes were all sweaty, shoes and hair so dusted.
To think that this happened because she simply lusted.
She knew to her sorrow she never should have trusted
The man or bike.
The next day at work she was grumpily moping,
But something inside her just couldn’t stop hoping
That luck would provide her a far better chance.
Perhaps in the future she’d still have romance,
At least a dance.
She was tall, she was buxom, and she rode a motorcycle.
She walked in the General Store to buy herself a trifle.
She saw Arianna and her heart skipped a beat.
She told her she wanted to take her to eat
Italian food.
Chorus: She kissed Arianna behind the carragana
In the town of Irricana.
Oh! What a feeling!
They rode out of town on her faithful Virago,
Reliable bike, it had travelled from Chicago.
With hands on the waist of the gal with bravado,
They ended their ride at Café Delacado,
Italian Food.
They wined and they dined and they talked until morning.
They laughed and they shared and almost without warning
They said what they wanted, so their future was forming.
With sunrise upon them they smiled at the morning
Then rode back home.
Chorus: She kissed Arianna behind the carragana
In the town of Irricana.
Oh! What a feeling!
So then Arianna bought her own Virago,
Took lessons to learn how to ride with bravado.
She loaded her tent, clothes and boots and supplies.
She followed her girlfriend under opening skies
And left her town.
So what do you think is the moral of this story?
If you want to win the girl, you may have to give up glory.
Especially if you insist on a Harley,
Disaster can strike anywhere, not just Farley.
Buy Yamaha.
Copyright, Nov. 2008
This little ditty was created while riding as a passenger on Lois’s bike, passing through Irricana, Alberta. The carragana bush is the most prolific (and some consider the ugliest) shrub in Alberta. It can grow 3 metres high if left untrimmed. Lois had a flat tire 50 miles back, so we rode carefully back to Calgary after plugging the hole with an aerosol repair kit. Lois told me to “think light!” so I did. Making up this song helped us get home safely, I’m sure. The song is perfect for the Folk Festival scene. Any takers? I’m looking for a collaborator on the score. My musician friend Dave Borrow says he is NOT into folk.
Words By Montgomery 
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