This piano piece dates from the second major phase of Amy Beach¹s career: After the death of her husband in 1910 she began an active career as a concert piano, and continued her prolific output as a composer. This song was written in 1922. It seems that she wrote this attractive four and a half minute piano piece to get the tune out of her head. She was fond of Irish melodies (she even built a symphony on several) and learned this one from the Irish poet Padraic Colum. It haunted her until she wrote this piece.

It consists of three settings of the "Fair Hills" song, each with a different expressive treatment. They are by turns lyrical, dramatic, and grand. The melody is kept flowing and natural, while the harmonies are complex and usually dissonant, probably reflecting the composer¹s sympathies raised by Ireland¹s recent struggles and attainment of independence.



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