© Copyright 2016 Elizabeth Pauly. All rights reserved.

Pete,PeteChildren’s game song from Ghana Arranged by Victor C. Johnson (1978-)

TranslationandPronunciationGuide Pete, Pete! /p´-t´ p´-t´/ Vulture, vulture Se nua dedende_ se nua: /s´ nu-a de-d´n-de s´ nu-a/ Wo mame fre wo. /wo ma-mi fr´ wo/ Vulture, vulture, Your mother is calling you! She says that food is ready.1

BackgroundThis is a popular children's song from Ghana – specifically an Akan play song. It is generally sung as a "call and response". Pete means "vulture", and is a playful nickname for children in reference to their big appetites. Within the context of the song, the children are called home to dinner (Pete, Pete), but may try to pretend that they are too busy playing to eat. Later verses in the song suggest foods that will entice the children to come home and eat. (These verses are not included in this arrangement).2

RecordingsMTVA Middle School Honors Choir 2014 directed by Dr. Eric Branscome: https://youtu.be/eChXixJ0MRA Cantica Nova - https://youtu.be/tOolUu9_Fxc Escolanía EM San Felipe Neri (Cádiz) – This is super cute: https://youtu.be/wJI8wRWx6Ko

1 Johnson, Victor C. “Pete, Pete.” Heritage Music Press. 2011. Print. 2. 2 Adzenyah, Abraham Kobena, Dumisani Maraire and Judith Cook Tucker, “Let Your Voice Be Heard!.” World Music Press. Danbury. 1997. Print. 56.

© Copyright 2016 Elizabeth Pauly. All rights reserved.

AnalysisKey: Begins in D Major, modulates to E Major Meter: 4/4 Structure: Strophic with interludes SECTION MEASURE EVENTANDSCORINGIntro 1-6 2 ms piano intro followed by voices singing call

and response on the words “pete pete” A 7-14 Main melody consists of 4 2 measure phrases –

aaba. 7-10 - SA in unison, B responds “pete pete” (aa) 11-12 – SAB in 3 part harmony (b) 13-14 – SAB in 3 part harmony (a)

Interlude 15-18 All voices singing “pete pete” in four part harmony

A 19-26 AB sing melody in harmony, S has a countermelody; (aaba’)

Interlude 27-29 Fragments from the melody used to help the modulation to E major

A’ 30-41 Ms 30-33 A has melody, other voices join in counterpoint; 34-36 S has melody, other voices harmonize; 37-41 – final phrase is extended to create a coda. S has melody for most of this section.