Composer

:

George Butterworth

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1911

Average_duration

:

1:18

"When I was one-and-twenty" is a song composed by George Butterworth in 1911. It was premiered in the same year and is part of a larger song cycle titled "A Shropshire Lad," which is based on a collection of poems by A.E. Housman. The song cycle consists of 12 songs, and "When I was one-and-twenty" is the second song in the cycle. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. It is a simple and straightforward song, with a melody that is easy to sing and remember. The piano accompaniment is also relatively simple, with a repeating pattern that supports the vocal line. The song is in a simple A-B-A form, with the first and third sections being identical and the middle section providing a contrast. The first and third sections are in a major key and have a light and cheerful character. The middle section is in a minor key and has a more melancholy and reflective character. The lyrics of the song are based on a poem by A.E. Housman. The poem is about a young man who falls in love and is advised by an older man to be cautious with his heart. The young man ignores the advice and ends up getting his heart broken. The song captures the youthful optimism and naivety of the young man in the first and third sections, and the sadness and regret of the middle section. Overall, "When I was one-and-twenty" is a charming and accessible song that captures the spirit of the A.E. Housman poems that inspired it. It is a testament to Butterworth's skill as a composer that he was able to create such a memorable and effective song with such simple means.

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