Episode 13 - Something to Help You Sleep

Episode 13:

Bonjour! Welcome to Coffee Talk with King Francois I, episode thirteen. As Renaissance Festivals are now in full swing each weekend, I wanted to bring to all Ren Faire performers, merchants, staff, and patrons a little help for your going-to-sleep struggles. Or, if going to sleep is a piece of cake for you, I hope this episode will at least bring a bit of calm to your day. For your listening pleasure, I will be narrating some Renaissance era poetry. The title and author will be stated first, followed by the poem. Two things before we begin our sleep or calm time. First, another little poem about coffee written just for you:

A King’s NightCap-puccino

The Ren Faire day is done.
I gaze at the setting sun.
My energy wanes, what shall I do?
Perhaps a goblet of rich, dark brew.

I contemplate my current situation,
Which java to choose for my caffeination.
A latte, mocha, or a frappuccino?
I know! For me, a King’s nightcap-puccino.

And second, a Renaissance-text-inspired musical selection, Lullaby. A little background on this piece. For one of my first compositions while working on my master’s, I was tasked with setting a lullaby-type text for voice and accompanying instrument. The reason for a lullaby was due to the fact that my daughter had been born a few months prior. Thus began a search for a poem about sleep or going to sleep. The words that caught my heart were penned by Thomas Dekker who lived from around 1572-1632. What emerged was a delightful lullaby. And like much music of the Renaissance, this piece, written for soprano and harp, displays some wonderful word painting. Lullaby was premiered at my Graduate Composition Recital at Webster University in April of 2005, and performed by soprano, Sarah Dimmitt and harpist, Elizabeth Gerberding LeBlanc. 

Now lay your head down or sit back and relax.
Quiet your mind to dream of Renaissance knicknacks.
Let go of your worries, becoming burden free, 
As you drift off to sleep with some calming poetry.

If you are a performer, merchant, staff, or diehard patron in or of the Renaissance Festival world and would like to be featured on Coffee Talk with King Francois I, reach out to me by way of clicking on the following link: https://www.theodorejander.com/coffeetalkpodcast.

Podcast music, Dance of the Mill and Lullaby, composed by Theodore Jander.

Would you like to receive early access every other week to each new episode as well as receive a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the production and creative process for the podcast? If so, join the wonderful community of listeners supporting the show and making new things possible through Patreon. Learn more at: https://www.patreon.com/CoffeeTalkwithKingFrancois.

Find out more about your host, Theodore Jander, at:

• Website - Theodore Jander.com
• Instagram - theodore_jander
• Amazon - A Journey Begun Through Poetry and Inspirational Thoughts