Little Firefly

Composer Notes... The composer first saw fireflies in Springfield Illinois and recalled the poem in “The Song Of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1807-1882.

An Improvisation leads to a calm peaceful melody, at the end of which are erratic little cadenzas representing the irregular flight of these little insects. There is a reprise with more chromatic flights and cadenzas leading to a calm conclusion. Dedicated to Linda Keldermans in 2004.

Wah-wah-taysee, little firefly,
Little flitting, white-fire insect,
Little dancing, white-fire creature,
Light me with your little candle,
Ere upon my bed I lay me,
Ere in Sleep I close my eyelids!