Poet: from The Book of Songs
Source: Songs from the Chinese
Date of Composition: 1957 (Autumn)
Publication: Songs from the Chinese, Boosey & Hawkes 1959
Voice Difficulty Level: Moderately Difficult
Subject: Advising against anxiety and worry.
Range: E4 – G5
Tessitura: A4 – D5
Tempo: Heavy; 2/2
Duration: 01:37
Vocal Characteristics: Rhythmically complex; moments of fast moving words; repetitive motives; chromatic
Guitar Difficulty Level:
Accompaniment Characteristics:
Additional Comments: Manuscript does not include numerical marking of tempo; the manuscript lacks any marking of “in tempo;” mm. 19, the decrescendo is not indicated in the manuscript; markings in parenthesis of dynamic are not editor’s markings, but Britten’s; they do appear in the manuscript