Time travel has always intrigued me; not so much to go back in history (when few women were literate) or forward to find out if my books are still on library shelves (yes, I believe libraries will survive!), but because of how delightful it would be to see composer Juan de Anchieta’s reaction to hearing his Ave Sanctissima Maria on YouTube, or Francisco de Peñalosa listen to an international chamber choir sing his heartbreaking requiem taken from Job 30:31, Sancta Mater, istud agas.
Better yet, I’d love to see any conquistador watch the Monkees sing Ríu Ríu Chíu in 1967, a version that’s available today across the world wide web.
Sixteenth century Spanish explorers must have enjoyed music, songs to bolster their courage, tales of conquest, ballads of love…
“My lady craves a New Year’s gift, and I will keep my word;
Thy head, methinks, will serve the shift – good yeoman, draw thy sword!”
Too melodramatic? Perhaps, but all music should heat the soul.
Franciscan frays of the old Spanish missions would probably agree. Methinks even they might even enjoy listening to Micky, Davy (R.I.P), Peter, and Mike. Ríu Ríu Chíu…
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