The Sword in the Bone

Poster for the World Premiere. Artwork by Tom DeMoulin

The Sword in the Bone  is a children's musical, and tells the story of Arthur, a seemingly ordinary mutt, who, as fate would have it, comes upon the great bone of power, Excalibone.  He, in the service of Lady Corgivere, is able to withdraw Excalibone from a rusty old sword (who needs that?), and in so doing, becomes the Once and Future King of the Canines.  Along with the Raven sorceress Galian, Sir Barksaolt, and others, Arthur learns what it is to be a responsible leader to the dogs of the British Isles, and together, they build the dream of Kibblelot. 

The Sword in the Bone  has a book by Lisa Appleton and Ernest Ebell, and Music, Lyrics, and Orchestrations by Ebell.  The premiere production was at Charles Semper Elementary School in Westminster, Colorado, under the direction of Ms. Julie Haas, and was performed by the school's third-graders.  The show is appropriate for performances by children grades 3-5, and for audiences of all ages.  Children like the show, because of the fun characters and songs, and adults like the show for its humor.  The show has seven songs, and runs approximately 30 minutes.  It has a flexible cast size of 22 dogs, one bird, one not-so-brave human Knight, and multiple narrators (who can be dogs, as well). 

If you would like to obtain the rights to perform this work, please contact Mr. Ebell through the contact page on this website.  Comes with teacher-friendly script, piano-vocal sheet music, and a recording with the orchestrations, both with and without a guide vocal.

Songs

Dogs of the British Isles  

Music & Lyric by Ernest Ebell   

We're dogs of the British Isles,   
From North to South, known for toothy smiles.   
In the future, we can tell,   
We'll own everything we smell,   
We're the dogs of the British Isles!   

We're dogs of the British Isles,   
From East to West, setting trends and styles.   
We shall be the global favs,   
When Britannia rules the waves,   
We're the dogs of the British Isles!   

     There are Corgis and Collies, Retrievers and Hounds,   
     Doggedly sniffing the ground, today.   
     Bulldogs and Sheepdogs and Terriers, too,   
     Forming a doggy tattoo, hurray!   

We're dogs of the British Isles,   
Upon our paws, marching miles and miles.   
In the future, you can bet,   
That the sun shall never set,   
On the dogs of the British Isles!

(Dogs march in parade)

We're dogs of the British Isles,    
Upon our paws, marching miles and miles.    
In the future, you can bet,    
That the sun shall never set,    
On the dogs of the British Isles!

The dogs of the British Isles!

Dog Fight!  

Music & Lyric by Ernest Ebell  

[Sir Terry's Chorus]
Sir Terry is our leader, oh, he of noble birth.  
We gladly shall stick by him, and fight for all we're worth.  
Persistence is our secret, we don't let go of rats,  
And once they've seen us snarling, they shall all be scaredy-cats!  

     [All]
     It's a dog fight, dog fight!  Oh, yeah!  
     Where a strong bite makes right!  Oh, yeah!  
     It's a dog fight, dog fight!  
     Awooooo!!  

[Arthur's Chorus]
Good Arthur is our sovereign, the leader of the pack.  
And so we shall defend him, you know we've got his back.  
With Barksalot and Corgi, our hearts are brave and true.  
The underdog shall have his day.  We'll do what we must do!   

     [All]
     It's a dog fight, dog fight!  Oh, yeah!   
     Where a strong bite makes right!  Oh, yeah!   
     It's a dog fight, dog fight!   
     Awooooo!!  

[Sir Terry's Chorus]
Sir Terry is our leader. 
 
[Arthurs's Chorus]
Good Arthur rules the pack.  

[All]
So bare your teeth and raise your paws,  
We're ready to attack!  

     It's a dog fight, dog fight!  Oh, yeah!   
     Where a strong bite makes right!  Oh, yeah!   
     It's a dog fight, dog fight!   
     Awooooo!!  

     Dog fight!