Song

Song, a short poem, adapted for singing, or set to music. A song generally turns on some single thought or feeling simply expressed in a number of stanzas or strophes (see LYRIC, BALLAD, POETRY, and the articles on the great song-writers). The music to which it is allied should serve to add force and clearness to its meaning with or without the assistance of an instrumental accompaniment. The vast stores of simple ballads, of which various nations in time became possessed, are known as 'folk-songs' (volkslieder), as being the unstudied outcome of their popular tastes, feelings, and aspirations. In the modern 'art-song' (kunstlied) the cultivated instincts of the musician are brought to bear upon the utterances of the poet. The range of this class of song is extremely wide, and includes examples resembling the folk-song in simplicity, as well as those of a more ambitious character, which for adequate interpretation often depend very largely on the accompaniment, the voice part sometimes consisting of little more than declamation of words whose meaning is further conveyed by instrumental devices. Between these two extremes every variety and combination of treatment is displayed, some songs being strophic in form, the same melody serving for each stanza, whilst others are 'composed throughout,' both melody and accompaniment changing in sympathy with the narrative and sentiments expressed by the words. The pinnacle of perfection in song-writing has been reached by German composers, and pre-eminently by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Loewe. Among celebrated English composers of song music may be named Henry Lawes, who very early excelled in the art of setting words with due regard for accent and emphasis; Henry Purcell, the greatest among English song-writers; with Carey, Arne, and Boyce. To these must be added Dibdin, famous for his 'Tom Bowling;' Davy, whose memory is kept green by his 'Bay of Biscay;' John Braham, who wrote the 'Death of Nelson;' and Charles Horn, composer of 'Cherry Ripe.' Sir Henry Bishop also enjoyed a lengthened popularity. The growth of national taste in respect of song has not kept pace with its advance in other branches of music, many excellent writers belonging to the later part of the 19th century being as yet for the most part unappreciated, while publishers find a large sale for vapid compositions in the so-called 'drawing-room' style. Songs written for several voices are known as partsongs, glees, madrigals, &c. See CATCH, GLEE, MADRIGAL, ROUND; and the article 'Song' in Grove's Dictionary of Music. For the song of birds, see BIRD, Vol. II. p. 169; and for the Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon, see CANTICLES.