Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Lute Song

Compose Date

:

1612

Publication Date

:

1612

Average_duration

:

2:45

"Shall I strive with words to move" is a lute song composed by John Dowland, a prominent English Renaissance composer and lutenist. The song was likely composed in the early 17th century, although the exact date is unknown. It was first published in Dowland's collection of lute songs, "The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires," which was printed in London in 1603. The song is in the key of G minor and consists of four verses, each with a refrain. The text is a poem by an unknown author, and it explores the theme of unrequited love. The speaker of the poem is addressing his beloved, asking whether he should try to persuade her with words to return his love, or whether he should simply accept his fate and move on.

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