Deconstucting Three Blind Mice You may disagree but I contend that the perfect song is, Three Blind Mice. We can consider the lyrics along with melody since they are such a perfect combination. It starts with the simple three declining notes, E,D,and C. One note for each mouse. The three notes repeat just to give use a chance to settle into the song. We have time here to think about their disability. Three little mice who help one another in their search for food and mischief. Next the melody is shifted up and repeats, G,F,F and E. A fourth note is added here as we are invited to imagine these three little mice scampering around running into things because, well, that’s how they run. The extra note helps describe motion. It’s now more than just three mice. It’s three mice moving around, it’s a mouse circus and we are being prepared for what is to come. Are you ready for this? It’s the farmer’s wife. It’s not the farmer’s daughter so we know this is no joke, it’s serious. The melody goes into a mad little dancing jig as the blind mice sense the presence of the farmer’s wife and chase her foot steps. It’s all fun and games for the mice at this point because they don’t yet know that this farmer’s wife has a weapon, a carving knife and she is willing to use it. It’s still part of the dancing melody as the lyrics shock us. The farmer’s wife could have done much worse. She just cut off their tails. That will teach those naughty, little mice to avoid the farmer’s wife. Now we are asked the question, did we ever see such a sight in our life. Well, that question will remain with us because the song is closing with those three simple notes that represent the three blind mice who now, in addition to their sightless condition, are missing their tails. They are no doubt thankful at this point that they still have their heads! Those three declining notes are repeated at the close of the song as we think of those three fortunate and wiser mice, E, D, and C. The mice are regrouping and possibly feeling their way back to the nest, a little wobbly being without their tails. The farmer’s wife is no doubt cleaning her knife and regaining her composure, E, D, and C. The little song is over too soon but it is everything a song should be. 07/27/2017 © Don Lehman |