A lively and humorous setting of James K. Baxter's classic ballad about the owner of the Hesperus Hotel.

Opus No : 3b

Category : Solo songs / baritone

Year : 1980

Duration : 5'30

Texts: James K. Baxter

Instrumentation: baritone and piano; also in revised version (2001) for bass and piano (for Jonathan Lemalu)

Level : 3 - for professional and semi-professional musicians

Available from the composer

Recording information

Archival recording made at Cambridge Music School, 1982

Programme Note

James K. Baxter is New Zealand's most well-known poet. He wrote in a wide variety of styles and genres, including the traditional ballad form, of which 'Lament for Barney Flanagan' is a prime example. It contains a classic Baxter mix of humour and pathos, lively in spirit but focussed on the subject of death, in this case the heart-attack of an overweight publican. The music is simple and strong, allowing the witty lyrics to speak for themselves, but also adding occasional wry touches of word-painting.