A humorous setting of aphorisms and prose from Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack
SATB Chorus a cappella / 9 min.
Program Note
Benjamin Franklin’s wit and wisdom flow inexhaustibly in Poor Richard’s Almanack, which he published annually from 1732-1758, from his twenties to his forties. Commissioned to compose something for the chorus of Franklin and Marshall College, I thought immediately of exploring the Almanack for suitable texts by the college’s namesake. “Poor Richard” did not disappoint. I sorted adages into general topic areas, and then wove some of Franklin’s hilarious narrative text through, resulting in five short movements. The setting evokes an 18th century style, fractured in ways suggested by Franklin’s surprising but apt juxtapositions.
Poor Richard’s Glees was premiered by the Chamber Singers of Franklin and Marshall College, led by Dr. William B. Wright, on March 3, 2013.
Texts
I. Money
Nothing but money is sweeter than honey.
I might in this place attempt to gain thy favor by declaring that I write Almanacks with no other View than that of the public’s good; but in this I should not be sincere; and Men are nowadays too wise to be deceived by Pretences how specious soever.
There are three faithful friends: an old wife, an old dog…
The plain truth of the matter is, I am excessive poor, and my Wife, good woman, is, I tell her, excessive proud; she cannot bear, she says, to sit spinning in her shift of Tow, while I do nothing but gaze at the stars; and has threatened more than once to burn all my books and Rattling-Traps (as she calls my Instruments) if I do not make some profitable Use of them for the good of my Family. The Printer has offer’d me some considerable share of the Profits, and I have thus begun to comply with my Dame’s desire.
…and ready money.
II. God Helps Them
God helps them that help themselves.
Haste makes Waste.
Fish & Visitors stink in 3 days.
Keep your eyes wide open before Marriage, half shut afterward.
He that lives on Hope, dies farting.
Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
God helps them that help themselves.
III. The Doors of Wisdom
Your kind and charitable assistance last year, in purchasing so large an Impression of my Almanacks, has made my Circumstances much more easy in the World, and requires my grateful acknowledgement.
The doors of Wisdom are never shut.
In the preface to my last Almanack, I foretold the Death of my dear old Friend and Fellow-Student, Mr. Titan Leeds, which was to be on the 17th of October, 1733, 3 hours 29 minutes PM, at the very instant of the Conjunction of the Sun with Mercury.
You may delay, but time will not.
Whether he be really yet dead, I cannot at this present writing positively assure my Readers. There is however, (and I cannot speak it without Sorrow) the strongest Probability that my dear Friend is no more.
To die’s to cease to be, it seems…
For there appears in his Name, as I am assured, an Almanack for the Year 1734, in which I am treated in a very gross and unhandsome Manner, in which I am called a false Predicter, an Ignorant, a conceited Scribbler, a Fool, and a Lyar.
…So learned Seneca did think…
Mr. Leeds was too well bred to use any Man so indecently and so scurrilously, and moreover his Esteem and Affection for me was extraordinary. So that it is to be feared that Pamphlet may be only a contrivance of somebody or other, who hopes perhaps to sell two or three Year’s Almanacks still by the sole Force and Virtue of Mr. Leeds’s Name.
…But we’ve Philosophers of modern Date, Who say ‘tis Death to cease to Drink.
IV. A Penny Saved
A penny saved is a penny earned.
No Gains without Pains.
‘Tis against some Men’s Principles to pay Interest, and seems against others’ Interests to pay the Principal.
For Age and Want save while you may; No morning Sun lasts a whole Day.
Well done is better than well said.
Certainly these three things agree, The Priest, the Lawyer, and Death all three: Death takes both the weak and the strong; The Lawyer takes from both right and wrong; and the Priest from living and dead has his fee.
V. Keep Conscience Clear
Your kind Acceptance of my former Labours, has encouraged me to continue writing, tho’ the general Approbation you have been so good as to favour me with, has excited the Envy of some, and the Malice of others.
Keep conscience clear then never fear.
These Ill-willers of mine, despited at the great Reputation I gain’d by exactly predicting another Man’s Death, have endeavored to deprive me of it all at once in the most effectual Manner, by reporting that I my self was never alive.
Glass, China, and Reputation…
This is not very civil Treatment, to endeavor to deprive me of my very Being, and reduce me to a Nonentity in the Opinion of the Publick.
…are easily cracked, and never well mended.
I need not, indeed, have taken Notice of so idle a Report, if it had not been for the sake of my Printer, to whom my Enemies are pleased to ascribe my Productions; to clear him entirely, and to vindicate my own Honour, I make this publick and serious Declaration…
Mankind are very odd Creatures: One Half censure what they practice; The other Half practice what they censure; The rest always say and do as they ought.
