The Song of England

Poet:  Alfred Noyes (1880-1958)

Source:  12 Songs for the Mezzo-Soprano and Contralto Voice

Date of Composition:  1923 (July)

Publication: Home Songs 21 Kirkley Cliff Rd. Lowestoft; not available for performance

Voice Difficulty Level: Moderately Easy

Subject:  Yearning for the homeland

Range:  D4 – F5

Tessitura: D4 – G4

Tempo:  Moderato; 6/8

Duration:  01:20

Vocal Characteristics:  Lilting first half; sustained legato second half; mostly step-wise with some large leaps; quick dynamic shifts from fff to p or pp; a few measures of duple syncopation

Piano Difficulty Level:  Easy

Accompaniment Characteristics:  Arpeggiated eighth notes in bass clef during first half; syncopated treble clef for first few measures; vocal melody doubled in second half; chordal and rhythmically simple in second half

Additional Comments: Britten Thematic Catalog http://www.brittenproject.org/works/BTC141

© Nicholas Perna and Mandy Spivak 2013