Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:02

"Sailor-boy" is a song composed by Benjamin Britten in 1942. It was premiered on May 6, 1943, at the Wigmore Hall in London, with Britten accompanying the singer, Peter Pears, on the piano. The song is part of Britten's song cycle "Fisherman's Songs," which consists of five songs based on poems by W.H. Auden. The song has a simple and straightforward structure, with a single verse and chorus. The melody is based on a traditional sea shanty, and the accompaniment is sparse, with the piano providing a rhythmic pulse and occasional harmonic support. The vocal line is characterized by its wide range and expressive phrasing, which reflects the emotional intensity of the lyrics. The lyrics of "Sailor-boy" tell the story of a young sailor who is lost at sea. The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, expresses the grief and longing of the sailor's loved ones: "Sailor-boy, sailor-boy, never again to see The girl who loved you dearly, the mother who bore thee." The verse describes the sailor's final moments, as he struggles to stay afloat in the stormy sea: "The waves were high, the winds did blow, And the lightning flashed around him; He clasped his hands and cried, 'Oh, no, I never more shall see my home.'" Overall, "Sailor-boy" is a poignant and evocative song that captures the spirit of the sea and the emotions of those who are left behind when a loved one is lost at sea.

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