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Though the last written, the "Fantasia on
the Willow Song" is the middle movement of the "Symphonies on Ancient
Tunes". Unlike the other two movements, the original tune is, here,
sung at the beginning and end of the Fantasia by David W. Solomons with
my own accompaniments each time, although it is performable in purely
orchestral form if need be.
The words and music of the Willow Song are both by that
great and prolific poet and composer, Anonymous, and appear to date
from the early 17th century. Shakespeare famously quotes the poem in
his "Othello" with a gender change. It is sung by Desdemona before she
is murdered by Othello.
The poor soul sat
sighing
by a sycamore tree,
Sing O the green willow.
With his hand in his bosom
and his head upon his knee,
