The other melodies which are given as specimens of Martinique music show less of the African element,—the nearest approach to it being in Tant sirop; but all are probably creations of the mixed race. Marie-Clémence is a Carnival satire composed not more than four years ago. To-to-to is very old—dates back, perhaps, to the time of the belles-affranchies. It is seldom sung now except by survivors of the old régime: the sincerity and tenderness of the emotion that inspired it—the old sweetness of heart and simplicity of thought,—are passing forever away.
To my friend, Henry Edward Krehbiel, the musical lecturer and critic,—at once historian and folklorist in the study of race-music,—and to Mr. Frank van der Stucken, the New York musical composer, I owe the preparation of these four melodies for voice and piano-forte. The arrangements of To-to-to and Loéma tombé are Mr. Van der Stucken's.
"TO-TO-TO"
(Creole werds)
MARIE-CLÉMENCE
(Creole words)
