Colin M. Johnson's Music and MIDI files

Synthesized MIDI Light Operas

"The Old Guard" (1887)

Music by Robert Planquette (1848 - 1903)
Written by H. B. Farnie

ACT I   -   The Village Inn at Vaudrez-les-Vignes, near Macon in Burgundy, France.

  • No. 1 - Conscription Chorus - "In there, our young men draw, from the urn and by the law, lots, who shall conscript be, shoulder gun and service see! ..."
  • No. 2 - Chorus and Song - Fraisette - "Fraisette!  Just look alive!  Little care for us is shown;  True 'tis, in ev'ry hive, there is sure to be a drone! ..."
  • No. 2½ - Exit - "Who will in the ranks quick fall, ready at their country's call, in their havresack mayhap, bâton of a mareschal! ..."
  • No. 3 - Waltz Song - Marcel - "Only a moment love was mine, yet drank I deep the draught divine!  Only a moment and no more, yet she's my fate for evermore!"
  • No. 4 - Diligence Chorus - "From the coach they're getting down;  now for news from Paris town!"
  • No. 5 - Valse - Murielle - "Wild brigands creeping, through thicket sleeping, lurk'd on our way to make us their prey!  All round was lonely, all still..."
  • No. 5½ - Exit - "That we further news may hear, coachman! come and have some beer! ..."
  • No. 6 - Duet - Fraisette and Gaston - "All I have to give's my heart; take it, love, since we must part!  Poor gift, I know, yet let it go, 'twill only live were'er thou art..."
  • No. 7 - Air - Fraisette - "Fare thee well, my humble home, where I slept beneath the eaves.  It is no gilded dome my heart with sorrow leaves..."
  • No. 8 - Finale Act I - "Here they come!  Here they come!  Here they come!  Here they come!  Hark! the bugle, hark! the drum! ..."

ACT II   -   The Hall of the Château D'Artemare, that night.

ACT III   -   The Park of the Château D'Artemare, three days later.

Additional Songs:

Note: Item 29 was composed by J. Crook, and contains 5 more verses, not included here.

Click here for a list of the characters.

This music is presented here in the belief that it is free from any copyright restrictions relating to its original authors and composers.  It is intended primarily for your listening entertainment and/or pleasure.  If you wish to use any of it for other purposes, or know of any reason why it should not be included here in this form, please send me an email.

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