Small Lemon Tree for SATB, or Women’s, or Children’s Choir

Abstract

“Small Lemon Tree” is a folk song from Epiros, a small, mountainous province in northwestern Greece. Greek folk songs are traditionally accompanied by violin, clarinet, and lute. The title, “Small Lemon Tree,” has a symbolic meaning, for as the juice of a lemon is sour, so is the love of the one portrayed in the song. A simple emotional appeal is achieved through the simplest of musical means -- a melody of only four pitches, constantly repeated.