27 January 2013
In your case of wood and velvet I can bring you near and far, You are small and far more gainly Than a banjo or guitar.
Your courses are all tuned in fifths, Just like the violin, But playing you is easier: You don't require a chin.
You have a hollow soundbox, Of maple and of spruce, And chopping bluegrass rhythms Is not your only use.
There are so many styles to pick Upon your little strings, From folk rock and Vivaldi To jazz manouche and swing.
Your shape is like a teardrop, But whenever I am bored, You know the way to make me smile, With just a simple chord.
More than any instrument, I love to play and sing With my strident, jingly-jangly Kentucky mandolin.
Ode To A Mandolin • Opuss № I