"I want to talk like an American
I want to sing like an American
I want to burn like an American"
I want to sing like an American
I want to burn like an American"
Fire in my Mouth contains examples of the following tropes:
- The Dead Have Names: For the original New York Philharmonic production, the last movement of the oratorio, "Fire", is accompanied by the names of the 146 victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
, which are projected onto the wall behind the stage. - Dramatization:
- Everything Is an Instrument: The second movement, "Factory", uses dozens of pairs of shears for the 'scissor' noises that accompany the sewing machine effects. At the end of the movement the other music drops away and only the scissors remain.
- "I Want" Song:
- Oratorio:
"I would be a traitor
to those poor burned bodies
if I were to speak
of good fellowship.
I have tried you good people of the public, and I have found you wanting."
to those poor burned bodies
if I were to speak
of good fellowship.
I have tried you good people of the public, and I have found you wanting."
