Composer

:

John Jacob Niles

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:53

'Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair' is a traditional folk song that was arranged and popularized by American composer John Jacob Niles in the early 20th century. The song is believed to have originated in Scotland and was brought to America by Scottish immigrants. Niles first heard the song in 1908 when he was traveling through the Appalachian Mountains in search of traditional folk songs. He was struck by the haunting melody and the simple yet powerful lyrics, which describe the singer's love for someone with black hair. Niles later arranged the song for voice and piano, adding his own harmonies and embellishments to the melody. The song premiered in 1929 at a concert in New York City, where it was performed by the famous African-American contralto Marian Anderson. The performance was a huge success, and the song quickly became one of Niles' most popular compositions. 'Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair' is a simple, yet deeply emotional song that is characterized by its haunting melody and sparse instrumentation. The song is typically performed in a slow, mournful tempo, with the singer accompanied by a single instrument, such as a guitar or piano. The song is divided into two verses, each of which describes the singer's love for someone with black hair. The lyrics are simple and direct, yet they convey a powerful sense of longing and desire. The first verse begins with the line "Black is the color of my true love's hair," and goes on to describe the singer's desire to be with their beloved. The second verse repeats the same melody and lyrics, but with a slightly different emphasis, emphasizing the singer's devotion and commitment to their love. Overall, 'Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair' is a timeless classic that has been performed by countless artists over the years. Its haunting melody and simple yet powerful lyrics continue to resonate with audiences today, making it one of the most enduring folk songs of all time.

More....