“Call John”

Imagine a light-hearted gathering, perhaps a social event or informal concert, where a humorous part-song like William Batchelder Bradbury’s Call John would be a perfect fit. This SATB composition in English is a delightful musical joke, depicting a comical exchange where a group tries to get John to teach them how to sing a specific tune. The lyrics playfully revolve around the singers’ attempts to learn the notes, only for John to playfully refuse, calling them "blunder heads." The piece builds to a humorous conclusion where the singers declare they have learned the song after all. Its engaging narrative and light comedic tone make it ideal for choirs looking for entertaining and accessible repertoire.