Fain: The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away!)

Description

The Deadwood Stage was written by Sammy Fain with words by Paul Webster, for the 1953 film Calamity Jane starring Doris Day. It is a catchy and fun wild west wagon song.

The ‘real’ Calamity Jane was a notorious outlaw from the American Midwest, who led a wild but heroic life as a frontierswoman, sharpshooter and pioneer. She famously appeared in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in the 1890s, telling stories and performing stunts on horseback.

In this arrangement for elementary recorders, a minimum of 4 players is required. The top two parts can be played on either Descant or Treble recorders; the slightly trickier third part is for Treble, but is also offered in a transposed version in C (ie playable with descant fingerings). The lowest part can be played on Tenor or Bass; the bass part is offered in bass or treble clef, and also in a transposed version in C. Perfect as a fun basic ensemble piece with independent parts.

Technical difficulty: The top two parts (S/A) are around Grade 1-2, the third part (A) is around Grade 3, and the lowest part (T/B) around Grade 2. An optional percussion part for wood blocks (or guiro, coconut drum/shells, etc) is also included.