Composer

:

John Ireland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1918

Average_duration

:

2:18

'If there were dreams to sell' is a song composed by John Ireland, a British composer and pianist. The song was composed in 1925 and premiered in the same year. It is a part of a song cycle titled 'The Land of Lost Content', which consists of six songs. The song has a slow and dreamy tempo, with a melancholic melody that is both haunting and beautiful. It is written in the key of G major and has a simple harmonic structure. The song is in a ternary form, with a repeated A section and a contrasting B section. The lyrics of the song are based on a poem by Thomas Lovell Beddoes, a 19th-century English poet. The poem is about a person who wishes to sell their dreams, as they are tired of living in a world where their dreams cannot come true. The song captures the essence of the poem, with its wistful melody and poignant lyrics. The first movement of the song begins with a gentle piano introduction, which sets the mood for the rest of the piece. The melody is introduced in the first verse, which is sung in a soft and delicate manner. The second verse is slightly more intense, with a rising melody that builds up to the climax of the song. The second movement of the song is the contrasting B section, which is more dramatic and intense than the A section. The melody is more complex, with a series of rising and falling phrases that create a sense of tension and release. The lyrics of the B section are more introspective, with the singer reflecting on the nature of dreams and their place in the world. The final movement of the song returns to the A section, with a repeat of the first verse. The melody is slightly altered, with a more elaborate piano accompaniment that adds depth and richness to the piece. The song ends on a quiet and reflective note, with the singer repeating the final line of the poem: "If there were dreams to sell, what would you buy?" Overall, 'If there were dreams to sell' is a beautiful and haunting song that captures the essence of the poem on which it is based. Its simple melody and poignant lyrics make it a timeless classic that continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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