Name pronunciations

[Paul Mackin]

Miriam Hardin wrote:

> Paul Mackin <paul.mackin at verizon.net> wrote:
>
> >Did anyone mention that Frenesi in the song title is pronounced
> >FREH-ness-see?
>
> I hadn't mentioned the song, which I've never heard, but my diss director referred to it when he gave me the pronunciation you mention here.
>
> >The stress varies in the song itself.  As in the refrain. Who wouldn't
> >say freh-ness-SEE.
> >Or possibly, FREH-ness-SEE.
>
> But he never mentioned that the stress varies within the song.  Hmmmm.

Have you seen the lyrics?  Here they are. From just reciting them you can get a pretty good idea of what has to be stressed and when. Too bad
Napster has been practically shut down or you could very quickly hear somebody like Frank Sinatra singing them.  The only recording of
"Frenesi" on my computer is Artie Shaw's famous instrumental version. Lots of strings but no words.  Too bad in a way because Billie Holliday
was singing for him about that time. Shaw disappeared into Mexico in 1939 (before Pynchon did) and when he returned introduced the tune to
America and the World.

Some time ago, I wandered down into old Mexico
While I was there, I felt romance everywhere
Moon was shining bright, and I could hear laughing voices in the night
Everyone was gay, This was the start of their holiday

It was fiesta down in Mexico, and so I stopped a while to see the show
I knew that frenes¡ meant "Please love me" and I could say frenes¡.
A lovely se¤orita caught my eye, I stood enchanted as she wandered by
And never knowing that it come from me, I gently sighed frenes¡.
She stopped and raised her eyes to mine, Her lips just pleaded to be kissed
Her eyes were soft as candle-shine, so how was I to resist?
And now without a heart to call my own, a greater happiness I've never known
Because her kisses are for me alone, who wouldn't say frenesi.

>
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