Another reason to like Bach
Did you know that Johann Sebastian Bach had a serious coffee habit? The current issue of Christian History & Biography magazine has an article about him that speaks of his caffeine addiction. As I think about it, it totally makes sense. Caffeine and counterpoint… of course! And those inventions and fugues sure can benefit from a little extra kick!
Bach actually wrote a piece called “Coffee Cantata.” Yes, for real! The story is about a girl who loves her coffee so much that her father fears she won’t be able to find a husband. But the girl doesn’t care–she just wants her cup o’ joe! My favorite line:
If I can’t drink my bowl of coffee three times daily,
then in my torment I will shrivel up like a piece of roast goat.
Now there’s a girl who’s serious about her coffee! The story does have a happy ending, though. Lieschen promises her father that she’ll give up coffee so that she can find a husband, then has a clause written into her marriage contract permitting her to make coffee whenever she wants. Way to go, Lieschen!
To see the full lyrics, visit www.afactor.net/kitchen/coffee/kaffeeKantate.html. In the meantime, remember:
A cat won’t stop from catching mice,
and maidens remain faithful to their coffee.
The mother holds her coffee dear, the grandmother drank it also,
who can thus rebuke the daughters!
I think I’ll go practice piano now. After I finish my coffee!