The Mermaid's Song

The Mermaid’s Song

Music: Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Words: Anne Hunter (1742-1821)

The Mermaid’s Song comes from Haydn’s set of 12 English Canzonettas (1794). Anne Hunter (the poet) was a friend of Haydn’s in London. This song contains two verses, both set identically. The second verse does have two more lines than the first, but Haydn uses repetition to make the poem fit the music. This is another lovely and sweet Haydn tune. The song depicts a mermaid (merman) bidding someone (a lover, a friend) to follow her/him to where the “pearly treasures be.” Haydn’s use in the piano of differing divisions of the beat (duples and triples) foreshadow the piano style of Beethoven.

Franz Joseph Haydn was one of the most important and prolific composers of the Classical era. His influence is immediately felt when he is referred to as the “father of the symphony” AND “father of the string quartet.” He also helped develop the piano trio and the sonata form, both of which were taken up by all the important composers that followed him. Although he is not as well known for his songs, he did write about 40, of which the 12 English Canzonettas are perhaps the most lovely. Haydn’s best vocal writing is heard in his oratorios and operas.

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Key of B Flat Major

Sample MP3, Piano & Melody,