Fishing song

Izaak Walton, a 17th Century writer and author of The Compleat Angler, provides the lyrics for Benjamin Britten’s peaceful number about the joys of a life on the riverbank. Lilting along in 5/8, this piece is full of charm and tranquillity.

Licensed content

Buy the full score

This song is available for purchase from Boosey & Hawkes as part of a collection of 13 songs for unison treble voices and piano, written between 1933 and 1934.

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Resources

  1. Breathing and Airflow

  2. Performance Skills

  3. Dynamics

  4. Tempo, Pulse, Counting

  5. black and white image of young man with short hair playing the piano and looking intensely at the camera

    Britten's Early Works

  6. Britten's Impact

  7. Britten's Childhood

  8. Britten's Music for Children

  9. Composing and Exploring - Fishing Song

Credits

Music by:
Benjamin Britten
Text by:
Izaak Walton

Performance track

Singers:
New London Children’s Choir
Conductor:
Ronald Corp
Accompanist:
Alexander Wells
Licensed by:
kind permission of Naxos

Song Details

Genre:
Classical
Tempo:
Flowing, Often changing
Time Signature:
5/8
Key Signature:
C Major
Tonality:
Mostly Major
Range:
C4 - E5
Piano Supporting Melody:
Occasionally