Songs About Cranes | Mama Lisa's World Blog

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How Cranes Stay Awake

Monday, June 26th, 2006

David Solomons has shared many of his songs with Mama Lisa’s World. He’s just posted a piece of music by the Italian composer Michele Pesenti, who lived during the Renaissance. The song involves a crane (bird).

David has asked me whether anyone can provide further background on the symbolism of cranes, particularly in Europe.

David told me an fascinating story about cranes, which may relate to the symbolism he’s interested in: Some mediaeval writers write about the behavior of cranes as they take turns watching over the flock while the others sleep. In order to keep vigil, the watcher crane puts a stone in its claw; this prevents it from nodding off, because, thanks to the stone, it cannot keep the perfect balance that it would require for sleep.

You can hear David’s performance and read what else he has found out so far here: http://www.dwsolo.com/pesenti.htm

The original words of the song are…

Dal lecto me levava per servir il Signor
Alhor quando arrivava la grua suo servidor
Gru gru gu gentil ambasciador
Che disse non leve, torna a dormir.

Here’s an English Translation…

I was just arising from my bed to serve the Lord
When his servant the crane, his kindly ambassador,
arrived and told me “Don’t get up, go back to sleep.”

Listen to David sing the song!

David wrote…