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Each phrase begins and ends with a tonic pitch, the interval Re\La/Re at mid-phrase hints at a minor tonality.
Description
- Grade: Fourth
- Origin: USA – Folk Song – cir. 1861
- Key: F Major
- Time: 4/4
- Form: AABC
- Rhythm: beginners: | ta/ ti ta ta | syncopation,
| ta ta ta/a | ta ta ta ta | ta/a/a (ta) |
| ta ta ta/ ti | syncopation - Pitches: beginners: So La Ti Do Re Mi Fa
- Intervals: intermediate: So/Do, Re\La/Re
- Musical Elements: notes: dotted half, half, dotted quarter, quarter, eighth; rest: quarter; syncopation, the last beat of each phrase is silent
- Key Words: United States Civil War Ballad, pining love song, USA history, “Love Me Tender,” neath (beneath), willow tree, thee, swallows, rose, spake (spoke), through, thine, azure (bright blue), morn (morning), sparkling, seemed, crimson wing, fitfully, stormy, thy, gloom, depart, sunshine, sweet heart
1. | When the blackbird in the spring, neath the willow tree. Sat and rocked, I heard him sing, singing Aura Lee. Aura Lee, Aura Lee, maid of golden hair. Sunshine came along with thee, and swallows in the air. |
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2.
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In thy blush the rose was born, music when you spake, Through thine azure eye, the morn, sparkling seemed to break. Aura Lee, Aura Lee, birds of crimson wing, Never song have sung to me in that night, sweet spring. |
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3. |
Aura Lee! The bird may flee the willow’s golden hair, |
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The popular USA song “Love Me Tender” is based on this tune.
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Additional Formats (click to enlarge)