Composer

:

Thomas Campion

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1613

Average_duration

:

4:26

"All lookes be pale, harts cold as stone" is a song composed by Thomas Campion, an English composer, poet, and physician, in the early 17th century. The song was first published in his collection of songs titled "A Booke of Ayres" in 1601. The song is written in the form of a lute song, which was a popular genre of secular music in the Renaissance period. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and a refrain that is repeated after each stanza. The lyrics describe the melancholic state of the speaker, who is lamenting the loss of his love. The refrain, "All lookes be pale, harts cold as stone," emphasizes the speaker's despair and the bleakness of his surroundings. The song is characterized by its simple and elegant melody, which is accompanied by a lute or other plucked string instrument. The melody is in a minor key, which adds to the mournful tone of the song. The vocal line is relatively simple, with a limited range and few embellishments, allowing the focus to be on the lyrics and the emotional content of the song. The song is divided into four movements, each corresponding to one stanza of the lyrics. The first movement begins with the refrain, which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The second movement introduces the first stanza of the lyrics, which describes the speaker's desolate surroundings. The third movement continues with the second stanza, which describes the speaker's emotional state. The final movement concludes with the fourth stanza, which expresses the speaker's resignation to his fate. Overall, "All lookes be pale, harts cold as stone" is a poignant and melancholic song that captures the essence of Renaissance lute songs. Its simple melody and elegant lyrics make it a timeless piece of music that continues to be performed and enjoyed today.

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