Viking Song [CF:YAS250F]

Published in 1911, Viking Song is a spirited sea-faring song. It is speculated that Coleridge-Taylor composed the song for students during his tenure at the Crystal Palace School of Music in London. The lyrics and accented melody depict clanging anvils hammered by mythical Thor and Odin as steel ships are forged in the fire. Like many vocal songs of the day, the piece features key changes at each new verse. This accessible arrangement for string orchestra modulates from C major to G major, ending back in C major as the strong, lilting melody is passed between sections of the orchestra.