Composer

:

Thomas Campion

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

4:23

"What if a day, or a month, or a year" is a beautiful and melancholic song composed by Thomas Campion, an English composer, poet, and physician. The song was composed in the early 17th century, during the Renaissance period, and is considered one of Campion's most famous works. The song is a lute song, which means it was originally composed for voice and lute accompaniment. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and a refrain that is repeated after each stanza. The lyrics of the song are a meditation on the fleeting nature of time and the transience of human life. The song begins with the lines "What if a day, or a month, or a year / Crown thy delights with a thousand sweet contentings?" The speaker is asking what would happen if they were able to experience a perfect day, month, or year, filled with all the pleasures and joys that life has to offer. However, the refrain that follows each stanza reminds the listener that "all is gone, and we are gone." The second stanza of the song continues this theme, with the speaker asking what would happen if they could "live to be old" and experience all the joys and sorrows that come with a long life. However, the refrain reminds us that "all is gone, and we are gone." The third stanza of the song takes a more philosophical turn, with the speaker asking what would happen if they could "learn every day something new." However, the refrain once again reminds us that "all is gone, and we are gone." The final stanza of the song is the most poignant, with the speaker asking what would happen if they could "find some place / Where all miseries were buried." However, the refrain once again reminds us that "all is gone, and we are gone." Overall, "What if a day, or a month, or a year" is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the fleeting nature of time and the transience of human life. Its simple yet powerful lyrics and melody have made it a beloved piece of music for centuries, and it continues to be performed and enjoyed by musicians and audiences around the world.

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