Brandy O! Music from the Parlors of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

Gr 6 Up—The Enslows have compiled a playlist of music that was performed in the home parlors of both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, spanning three generations of musicians and many types of music from classical ("Lully's Minuet") and folk songs ("Begone, Dull Care") to country dances ("Felton's Gavotte") and ballad operas ("Peggy Perkins" and "Thomas and Sally"). Using the same types of instruments found in households at the time (including hammered dulcimer, violin, harp, flute, harpsichord, English guitar, and cello), they have re-created music authentic to the time period. Inclusion of drinking songs ("Nottingham Ale"), stories about drink ("Brandy-O!"), love songs ("Here's a Health to Ane I Lo'e Dear"), songs about love lost ("Crazy Jane"), and obscure events of the day ("Go to the Devil and Shake Yourself") make this appropriate for use in classrooms with more mature students.