Captain Jinks song question

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SonOfTheExiles
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Joined: December 20th, 2013, 1:14 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by SonOfTheExiles »

As you may have noticed, we have a play going at present called "Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines".

This is an old American song. See here (but beware, the chorus is something of an earworm :wink: ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp-98ajjDpI

Now there is a reference at one point where Charlie, Gussie and Captain Jinks enter singing the song: https://archive.org/details/captainjinks00fitcrich/page/8/mode/1up?q=singing

"Three men are heard singing "Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines"; faintly, then more loudly as they approach and come on through the big doorway on the right. The three men are CHARLIE, GUSSIE, and Captain JINKS."

The script doesn't supply the words, perhaps because the song was so well known in its day.

Now, rather than just have the Stage Directions state this, is it "LV-possible" for us to have those taking these voice parts to sing this? Or if it is too difficult to coordinate all three, at least the Capt Jinks actor?

I have found a scan of old 1856 sheet music here: https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1035&context=sheetmusic

You will note this document states: "This Score is brought to you for free and open access by the Greer Music Library at Digital Commons @ Connecticut College"

So... is everything laid out here ticketty-boo PD-wise?


Thanks,
Chris
Currently on sabbatical from Librivox
annise
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Post by annise »

I'd suggest you discussed this with your MC .

Anne
ToddHW
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Post by ToddHW »

1. The document website does not say "Public Domain" which is what we require. It does not clearly say what they mean by Free and Open Access anywhere I can find in the Digital Commons website. They might be reserving access only to non-commercial activities, and we can't guarantee that for our released project.

2. Singing is hard to do and critique. (I know: I joined LV after decades as a singer becuz my tinnitus got so bad I could no longer sing on pitch.) It is LV standard DPL policy to accept any text reading that is understandable even if there are some word errors; that could allow a lot of wincingly different notes from those written. (Though a good case could be made that perhaps these three men sing off-pitch as part of their character....)

3. The author has a nice stage direction that provides an explanation of what is being sung. Seems quite enough.

I'd leave out the singing.

Thanks, Todd
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