Jim, Who ran away from his Nurse, and was eaten by a Lion
Text from Hilaire Belloc's
Cautionary Tales for Children (1908)
Music by Steven Snowden
for more info about this piece, visit
stevensnowden.com/cautionary_tales.html
Performance Feb. 22 2010 in Austin, TX
Joanna Martin - Flute
Chris Whittemore - Clarinet
Zack Wilson - Piano
Eric Peterson - Percussion, Celery
Kevin Mendoza - Violin
Samuel Johnson - Cello
and
Steven Snowden - Baritone
Conducted by Hermes Camacho
download the original illustrated poem
stevensnowden.com/cautionary_tales/jim_original.pdf
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Jim,
Who ran away from his Nurse, and was eaten by a Lion.
There was a Boy whose name was Jim;
His Friends were very good to him.
They gave him Tea, and Cakes, and Jam,
And slices of delicious Ham,
And Chocolate with pink inside.
And little Tricycles to ride,
And read his Stories through and through,
And even took him to the Zoo--
But there it was the dreadful Fate
Befel him, which I now relate.
You know--at least you ought to know,
For I have often told you so--
That Children never are allowed
To leave their Nurses in a Crowd;
Now this was Jim's especial Foible,
He ran away when he was able,
And on this inauspicious day
He slipped his hand and ran away!
He hadn't gone a yard when--Bang!
With open Jaws, a Lion sprang,
And hungrily began to eat
The Boy: beginning at his feet.
Now, just imagine how it feels
When first your toes and then your heels,
And then by gradual degree,
Your shins and ankles, calves and knees,
Are slowly eaten bit by bit.
No wonder Jim detested it!
No wonder that he shouted "Hi!"
The honest keeper heard his cry,
Though very fat he almost ran
To help the little gentleman.
"Ponto!" he ordered as he came
(For Ponto was the Lion's name),
"Ponto!" he cried, with angry frown.
"Let go, sir! Down, sir! Put it down!"
The lion made a sudden stop
He let the dainty Morsel drop,
And slunk reluctant to his cage,
Snarling with disappointed rage.
But when he bent him over Jim,
The honest keeper's eyes were dim.
The lion having reached his head,
The miserable boy was dead.
When nurse informed his parents, they
Were more concerned than I can say:-
His mother, as she dried her eyes,
Said, "Well- it gives me now surprise,
He would not do as he was told!"
His father, who was self controlled,
Bade all the children round attend
To James' miserable end,
And always keep a-hold of nurse
For fear of finding something worse.
Hilaire Belloc - 1908
