barcarole

American  

[bahr-kuh-rohl] / ˈbɑr kəˌroʊl /

Or barcarolle

noun

1. a boating song of the Venetian gondoliers.

2. a piece of music composed in the style of such songs.

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barcarole British  

/ ˌbɑːkəˈrəʊl, -ˌrɒl, ˈbɑːkəˌrəʊl /

noun

1. a Venetian boat song in a time of six or twelve quaver beats to the bar

2. an instrumental composition resembling this

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Etymology

Origin of barcarole

1605–15; < Venetian barcarola boatman's song, feminine of barcarolo, equivalent to barcar- (< Late Latin barcārius boatman; see bark ³, -ary) + -olo (≪ Latin -eolus )

Example Sentences

Long-held but shifting sonorities here suggest a barcarole as a voyage to the underworld.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2014

As the Sicilian men intone shocked syllables in a martial rhythm, a carefree barcarole suddenly emerges from a passing boat carrying ladies and gentlemen to the ball.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2013

My own father was barcarole there to a great Milordo, I can't say how many years back.

From Davenport Dunn, Volume 1 (of 2) A Man Of Our Day by Lever, Charles James

Mamma is gone, and Ned was asking little Muir to sing that delicious barcarole she gave us the other evening.

From Behind a Mask, or a Woman's Power by Alcott, Louisa May

Théophile was singing the barcarole from the second act of Aline, Queen of Golconda at the top of his voice.

From Anatole France The Revolt of the Angels by France, Anatole