Instead of singing with my voice, I have recently been practicing some memorable songs on my viola. Here are four of them—melodies that feel especially familiar and pleasing to me:
1. 老黑爵
2. 搖籃曲
3. 露莎蘭
4. 秋柳
Below is what I have learned about these short yet beautiful pieces of music.
《老黑爵》 (Old Black Joe), composed by Stephen Foster in 1860, is an American folk song filled with gentle nostalgia. Its smooth, lyrical melody and simple harmonies make it easy to sing, which is why it became popular in school songbooks. The song evokes quiet reflection on old friends and the passage of time, allowing singers to convey warmth and sentiment through subtle expressiveness.
《搖籃曲》 (Lullaby), composed by Franz Schubert (1797–1828, D.498), is a soothing song meant to comfort and calm. In my school songbook, the melody is written in 4/4, which simplifies the beat for easy singing while preserving the gentle, rocking character of the lullaby. Its stepwise melodic movement, soft rises and falls, and delicate accompaniment convey tenderness and security. Chinese lyrics in school editions maintain this warmth, allowing young singers to experience the comforting mood of a classic Western art song.
《露莎蘭》, attributed to Chen Shilian (陳式琏) around 1941—though some sources give the name Chen Shida (陳式達)—is said to be based on a Scottish folk-style melody. The song portrays a young man’s longing for a maiden named Lùshālán, expressed through tender and poetic imagery: “I wander by the sea and over the hills…” Although often labeled a Scottish folk song, its exact original tune remains uncertain. The Chinese lyrics and 4/4 arrangement give it a smooth, lyrical flow, making it both expressive and easy to sing in groups.
《秋柳》, composed by 劉雪庵 (Liu Xue’an, 1905–1985), is a modern Chinese art song that blends Western harmony with Chinese poetic imagery. Its arching melodic lines, soft repetitions, and restrained ornamentation evoke willows swaying in the autumn breeze. The song’s reflective, slightly wistful mood captures the beauty and transience of nature, exemplifying early 20th-century Chinese art-song style while encouraging singers to convey subtle emotion.
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相關文章 (See also)：
1) From "北国の春" to "榕樹下" (2025)
2) 兩首老歌 -- Old Taiwanese Songs (2025)
3) "菩提樹" ~ A Beautiful Mistranslation (2025)
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