Composer

:

Alice Hawthorne

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1854

Publication Date

:

1854

Average_duration

:

1:58

"Listen to the Mocking Bird" is a popular American folk song composed by Alice Hawthorne, a pseudonym for Septimus Winner. The song was composed in 1855 and premiered the same year. It quickly became a hit and was widely performed in the United States. The song is composed of three movements, each with its own distinct melody. The first movement is a slow and mournful melody, while the second movement is more upbeat and lively. The third movement returns to the slow and mournful melody of the first movement. The lyrics of the song tell the story of a man who is longing to hear the sound of a mockingbird singing. The mockingbird is a symbol of hope and happiness for the man, who is feeling lonely and sad. The song encourages the listener to take comfort in the beauty of nature and to find solace in the simple pleasures of life. One of the most distinctive characteristics of "Listen to the Mocking Bird" is its use of the pentatonic scale. The pentatonic scale is a musical scale that consists of five notes per octave, and it is commonly used in folk music. The use of the pentatonic scale gives the song a distinctly American sound and makes it easy to sing and remember. Overall, "Listen to the Mocking Bird" is a beloved American folk song that has stood the test of time. Its simple melody and heartfelt lyrics continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a classic of the American musical canon.

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