Mad Tom of Bedlam
page 7 of the score
This tune is known by several names: "New Mad Tom of Bedlam", "Grayinne Masque", and "The Man in the Moon Drinks Claret". A very early source in lute tablature (c. 1613 - 1616) is found in British Museum Add. MS 38539 (29r). The tune was popular well into the 18th century.
The British broadside ballad (published 1658 - 1664) specifies that the poem is sung to the tune "Grays Inn Mask". John Playford's first ten editions of "The English Dancing Master" (1651 - 1698) provide dance instructions for the tune, and his "Choice Ayres, Songs, & Dialogues" (1673) provides lyrics for it.
Date of my arrangement: 2020
Duration: 3:13 minutes
Instrumentation: A.A.T.B.B.GB.Cb.
My arrangement for recorder orchestra incorporates musical material from the sources mentioned above, as well as material from an anonymous setting of the tune for virginal that is found in Drexel MS 5612. The score contains lyrics for the sole purpose of understanding the original text associated with the melody. The character is ominous, but with moments of gleeful madness.
Published by: Peacock Press (Recorder Music Mail)
www.recordermail.co.uk
id code: P 796