Who Can Sail Without The Wind (Nordic Traditional arr. Thomas Dunne)
Cornet Solo with Brass Band
Published by Swan Road Music

Who Can Sail Without The Wind is a traditional Nordic folk song, assumed to originate from the Åland islands between Sweden and Finland in the Baltic Sea. The theme is a common one among sea songs – being separated from loved ones. This arrangement for cornet soloist and brass band draws the original melody into a mysterious, dream-like sound world. An eerie wind effect on the timpani sets the scene, before an uneasy, shifting harmony is established in the muted brass, gentle propelled forward by a ‘music box’ glockenspiel and vibraphone. This tension continues as the cornet soloist introduces the smooth and dreamy melody from Fig. A. The horns take over the melody at Fig. B, the tempo moving forward with a brooding lower band accompaniment. Fig. D sees the euphonium deliver the melody, atop which the soloist plays an eerie counter melody. The tension builds, releasing into a full band recapitulation of the melody at Fig. F, with the soloist soaring above with a decorative line. The music builds to a sinister dynamic climax, before the original material is revisited in a distant, dreamy finale.

Who Can Sail Without The Wind is ideal for concerts and entertainment contests, particularly for those themed around the sea or Halloween. It was arranged for Kerry Ford and Lydney Town Band for their performance at the 2026 Wychavon Festival of Brass.