COMPLETE [F. P. Little Mud-Sparrows by E S Phelps - dl

Solo or group recordings that are finished and fully available for listeners
aradlaw
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Post by aradlaw »

The Little Mud-Sparrows by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps (1844 - 1911) .

All audio files can be found on our catalog page: http://librivox.org/the-little-mud-sparrows-by-elizabeth-stuart-phelps-2/
This poem is taken from CHRISTMAS IN LEGEND AND STORY; A Book for Boys and Girls, complied by Elva S. Smith, Carnegie Library Pittsburgh and Alice I. Hazeltine, Public Library St. Louis; 1915. (from the book's frontispiece)
Each fortnight a poem is chosen to be recorded by as many LibriVox volunteers as possible!

This fortnight's poem can be found here.

Please be sure that your recording software is set to the following technical specifications:
Channels: 1 (Mono)
Bit Rate: 128 kbps
Sample Rate: 44100 kHz

Have questions on "how"?
Check LV's Recording Notes thread before recording: http://librivox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6427#6430
If this is your first recording, you'll also find this useful: http://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Newbie_Guide_to_Recording

Begin your reading with the abbreviated LibriVox disclaimer:
(Please leave no more than 0.5-1 second of silence at the beginning of your recording!
The Little Mud-Sparrows by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps , read for LibriVox.org by [your name].
[Add, if you wish, date, your location, and/or your personal url.]
Then read the poem:
A Jewish Legend

I like that old, kind legend
Not found in Holy Writ,
And wish that John or Matthew
Had made Bible out of it.

But though it is not Gospel,
There is no law to hold
The heart from growing better
That hears the story told:—

How the little Jewish children
Upon a summer day,
Went down across the meadows
With the Child Christ to play.

And in the gold-green valley,
Where low the reed-grass lay,
They made them mock mud-sparrows
Out of the meadow clay.

So, when these all were fashioned,
And ranged in rows about,
"Now," said the little Jesus,
"We'll let the birds fly out."

Then all the happy children
Did call, and coax, and cry—
Each to his own mud-sparrow:
"Fly, as I bid you! Fly!"

But earthen were the sparrows,
And earth they did remain,
Though loud the Jewish children
Cried out, and cried again.

Except the one bird only
The little Lord Christ made;
The earth that owned Him Master,
—His earth heard and obeyed.

Softly He leaned and whispered:
"Fly up to Heaven! Fly!"
And swift, His little sparrow
Went soaring to the sky,

And silent, all the children
Stood, awestruck, looking on,
Till, deep into the heavens,
The bird of earth had gone.

I like to think, for playmate
We have the Lord Christ still,
And that still above our weakness
He works His mighty will,

That all our little playthings
Of earthen hopes and joys
Shall be, by His commandment,
Changed into heavenly toys.

Our souls are like the sparrows
Imprisoned in the clay,
Bless Him who came to give them wings
Upon a Christmas Day!
At the end of your reading, leave a space and then say:
End of poem. This recording is in the public domain.

Please leave 5 seconds of silence at the end of your recording.

Save your recording as an mp3 file using the following filename and ID3 tag format:
File name - all in lowercase: littlemudsparrows_phelps_your initials in lowercase.mp3 (eg. littlemudsparrows_phelps_klh.mp3)

ID3 tags (Version 2):
Artist Name: Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
Track Title: The Little Mud-Sparrows - Read by YOUR INITIALS (eg. The Little Mud-Sparrows - Read by KLH)
Album Title: LibriVox Fortnightly Poetry
Comments: (optional) Recorded by [your name]

Transfer of files (completed recordings)
Please always post in this forum thread when you've sent a file.
Also, post the length of the recording (file duration: mm:ss) together with the link.
  • Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader:

    http://upload.librivox.org
    Image
    (If you have trouble reading the image above, please message an admin)
  • You'll need to select the MC, which for this project is: dl - aradlaw
  • When your upload is complete, you will receive a link - please post it in this thread.
  • If this doesn't work, or you have questions, please check our How To Send Your Recording wiki page.
When you post your link, please include your name as you would like it credited on the catalogue page and any URL by which you would like it accompanied. (Note: This is only necessary if you have not done so for another project.)

If you wish to contribute, please have your readings submitted by 0600 GMT Sunday, 2011-Dec-18 (12:00AM CDT) [/b]

Magic Window:



BC Admin


(And remember, anyone can suggest a poem for a certain fortnight and/or coordinate an upcoming fortnightly poem! If you'd like to suggest a poem or coordinate a future Fortnightly Poetry project, please visit this thread.)
David Lawrence

* Weekly & Fortnightly Poetry - Check out the Short Works forum for the latest projects!
aravis
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Post by aravis »

Elli

"Tiefer und tiefer zogen die Buchstaben ihn hinab, wie ein Strudel aus Tinte...dorthin wo auch Staubfinger verschwunden war. An den Ort, an dem alle Geschichten enden." (Cornelia Funke)
aradlaw
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Post by aradlaw »

Thank you Elli, beautifully read :D
David Lawrence

* Weekly & Fortnightly Poetry - Check out the Short Works forum for the latest projects!
Lucy_k_p
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Post by Lucy_k_p »

Here’s my attempt:
http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/dl/littlemudsparrows_phelps_lkp.mp3
(2:11)

Any comments on or criticisms of my performance greatly appreciated.
So little space, so much to say.
aradlaw
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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Post by aradlaw »

Thank you, Lucy and Chris. :clap:
David Lawrence

* Weekly & Fortnightly Poetry - Check out the Short Works forum for the latest projects!
LenXZ1
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Location: Springfield, OH

Post by LenXZ1 »

"A room without books is like a body without a soul." - Cicero
Snapdragon
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Location: Washington, DC

Post by Snapdragon »

Thanks!
Snapdragon

Remember those who served!
http://www.dogtaghistory.com
Dotty
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Joined: December 6th, 2011, 6:39 pm

Post by Dotty »

aradlaw
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Post by aradlaw »

Welcometo LibriVox Dottie :)

I see this is your first post and upload to LV. The reading itself is good, but unfortunately there are a few issues with your file.
- your volume is way too low, the waveforms should look like this...
Image

- there is a significant background noise when the file is amplified.
- the ID3 Tags are missing (please see the opening post for the tag info)
- a hint, if you are using audicity, you do not need to put the .mp3 onto the file name, the program does that automatically when exporting :wink:

Please try those settings I mentioned above and record the poem again.

You need to increase the volume either in Audacity itself ( the record volume slider) or adjust your system volume controls,
something like this -
System Volume Path
Control Panel / Sound / Recording / select your mic / Properties / Levels (adjust if necessary)
Not too sure just yet what can be done about the background noise. It does not sound like a laptop power supply type noise, what type of microphone are you using? Analog (small round plug) or USB (flat plug) ?

This is why we recommend a test recording, so all these issues can be worked out before hand.
Please get back to me on those questions so we can sort out your recording problems.

Oh, almost forgot, please let me know under what name would you like to appear in the LV catalog and if you have one, we can put your personal URL link on your catalog page too. 8-)
David Lawrence

* Weekly & Fortnightly Poetry - Check out the Short Works forum for the latest projects!
Lewis
Posts: 95
Joined: August 11th, 2011, 1:48 pm

Post by Lewis »

Great Christmas Season Choice -
Here's my version - 2:33

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/dl/littlemudsparrows_phelps_llb.mp3

Lewis
aradlaw
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Post by aradlaw »

Thank you Lewis, great reading :thumbs:

My apologies for forgetting to acknowledge Len and Ginger for their most excellent readings ealier in the week :clap:
David Lawrence

* Weekly & Fortnightly Poetry - Check out the Short Works forum for the latest projects!
moarplease
Posts: 2
Joined: November 23rd, 2011, 11:44 am
Location: Spain

Post by moarplease »

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/dl/littlemudsparrows_phelps_hyz.mp3

Duration - 01:59

Here is my attempt. This is my first recording besides the 1-min test, so any constructive feedback would be appreciated.
fshort
Posts: 722
Joined: June 20th, 2011, 7:02 pm
Location: Woodstock, VT. USA

Post by fshort »

The Little Mud Sparrows

URL: http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/dl/littlemudsparrows_phelps_fs.mp3

Duration: 02:39

I think I got the volume right. Over Xmas, my clever son may be able to fix my computer up with an mp3 gain that I can use. (The app I tried wouldn't let me select a file no matter if I dragged it or anything else.)
Florence Short
"...he not busy being born is busy dying."
Lyrics from Bob Dylan song
Zadok75
Posts: 4
Joined: December 7th, 2011, 8:38 pm

Post by Zadok75 »

So here's my first try, other than the audio test. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated... Thank you.
Zadok75

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/dl/littlemudsparrows_phelps_z75.mp3

Duration 2m 38 sec
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