Composer

:

Robert Jones

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:49

"And Is It Night?" is a song composed by Robert Jones, a prominent English lutenist and composer of the early 17th century. The song was likely composed in the early 1600s, during the reign of King James I. It is a part of Jones' collection of lute songs, which were popular during the Renaissance period. The song is a melancholic and introspective piece, with a slow and mournful melody. It is written in the key of D minor and has a simple chord progression that emphasizes the somber mood of the piece. The lyrics are also reflective and contemplative, with the speaker questioning the nature of life and death. "And Is It Night?" is typically performed as a solo vocal piece accompanied by a lute or other plucked string instrument. The song is divided into three distinct movements, each with its own unique character and mood. The first movement begins with a slow and mournful introduction, with the lute playing a simple melody that sets the tone for the piece. The singer then enters, singing the first verse in a soft and introspective tone. The lyrics describe the speaker's contemplation of death and the afterlife, with lines such as "And is it night? Then I will go to bed" and "And if I die before I wake, I know I shall do well." The second movement is more lively and upbeat, with the lute playing a faster and more complex melody. The singer's voice also becomes more animated, with a more pronounced vibrato and a greater sense of urgency in the delivery of the lyrics. The lyrics in this section describe the speaker's desire to live life to the fullest, with lines such as "But if I live, I'll live to love" and "And if I love, I'll love for aye." The final movement returns to the slow and mournful tone of the first, with the lute playing a simple and repetitive melody that emphasizes the sense of finality and closure. The singer's voice becomes softer and more introspective, with a greater emphasis on the finality of death. The lyrics in this section describe the speaker's acceptance of death and the afterlife, with lines such as "And if I die, I die to rest" and "And if I rest, I rest in peace." Overall, "And Is It Night?" is a beautiful and introspective piece of music that captures the melancholic and reflective mood of the Renaissance period. Its simple yet powerful melody and lyrics continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless classic of the lute song repertoire.

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