Composer

:

George Butterworth

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1912

Average_duration

:

2:05

'With rue my heart is laden' is a song composed by George Butterworth in 1912. It is the second song in his song cycle 'A Shropshire Lad', which is based on the poems of A.E. Housman. The song was premiered in 1913 at a concert in London. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. It is a slow and melancholic piece, with a simple and repetitive melody that reflects the sadness and regret expressed in the poem. The piano accompaniment is also simple, with a gentle and flowing rhythm that supports the voice without overpowering it. The song is divided into two verses, each with a different melody. The first verse is in a minor key and has a descending melody that reflects the sadness and regret of the speaker. The second verse is in a major key and has a rising melody that reflects the hope and optimism expressed in the final lines of the poem. The lyrics of the song are taken from Housman's poem 'When I was one-and-twenty'. The poem is a reflection on the speaker's youth and the mistakes he made in love. The speaker advises a young man to be cautious in matters of the heart, warning him that love can be a painful and costly experience. Overall, 'With rue my heart is laden' is a beautiful and poignant song that captures the melancholic and reflective mood of Housman's poetry. Butterworth's simple and sensitive setting of the poem allows the words to speak for themselves, creating a powerful and moving musical experience.

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