Composer

:

John Ireland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1913

Average_duration

:

2:22

"Sea Fever" is a song composed by John Ireland, a British composer, pianist, and teacher. The song was composed in 1913 and premiered in the same year. It is a part of a song cycle called "Two Songs" which also includes "The Vagabond." "Sea Fever" is a setting of a poem by John Masefield, a British poet. The poem describes the speaker's longing for the sea and the freedom it represents. The song is in the key of G minor and has a moderate tempo. It is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The song has three distinct sections or movements. The first section is marked "Moderato" and begins with a piano introduction that sets the mood for the piece. The vocal line enters with the first line of the poem, "I must go down to the seas again." The melody is lyrical and flowing, with a sense of yearning and longing. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with occasional flourishes that add to the overall atmosphere of the piece. The second section is marked "Poco più mosso" and begins with a change in the piano accompaniment. The melody becomes more urgent and the vocal line rises in pitch and intensity. The lyrics describe the speaker's desire to "feel the spray on my face" and "the wind's song in my ear." The piano accompaniment becomes more active, with arpeggios and runs that suggest the movement of the sea. The final section is marked "Tempo I" and returns to the original tempo and mood of the piece. The vocal line becomes more contemplative, with a sense of resignation and acceptance. The lyrics describe the speaker's realization that "all I ask is a quiet sleep" and "a grey mist on the sea's face." The piano accompaniment becomes more subdued, with a sense of calm and peace. Overall, "Sea Fever" is a beautiful and evocative song that captures the spirit of the sea and the longing it inspires. The melody is memorable and the piano accompaniment is sensitive and supportive. The song has become a popular choice for singers and has been recorded by many artists over the years.

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