Composer

:

John Ireland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1924

Average_duration

:

1:58

"When I am dead, my dearest" is a song composed by John Ireland, a British composer and pianist. The song was composed in 1912 and premiered in the same year. It is a part of a song cycle called "The Land of Lost Content," which consists of six songs. The song is written in a slow tempo and is in the key of G major. It has a simple and lyrical melody that is accompanied by a gentle piano accompaniment. The song has two verses, each with four lines, and a refrain that is repeated after each verse. The lyrics of the song are based on a poem by Christina Rossetti, a 19th-century English poet. The poem reflects on the idea of love and how it can continue even after death. The first verse of the song reads: "When I am dead, my dearest, Sing no sad songs for me; Plant thou no roses at my head, Nor shady cypress tree: Be the green grass above me With showers and dewdrops wet; And if thou wilt, remember, And if thou wilt, forget." The second verse continues the theme of love and how it can transcend death: "I shall not see the shadows, I shall not feel the rain; I shall not hear the nightingale Sing on, as if in pain: And dreaming through the twilight That doth not rise nor set, Haply I may remember, And haply may forget." The refrain of the song, "Remember me when I am gone away," is a poignant reminder of the transience of life and the enduring power of love. Overall, "When I am dead, my dearest" is a beautiful and haunting song that captures the essence of Christina Rossetti's poem. Its simple melody and gentle accompaniment make it a popular choice for singers and pianists alike.

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