Wedded to will is witless (William Byrd)
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- Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2004-07-18). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 107 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Revised Nov 08. MusicXML source file(s) in compressed .mxl format.
General Information
Title: Wedded to will is witless
Composer: William Byrd
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Secular, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1611 in Psalmes, Songs, and Sonnets, no. 23
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Wedded to will is witlesse,
And seldome he is skilfull,
That bears the name of wise, and yet is wilfull.
To governe he is fitlesse,
That deals not by election,
but by his fond affection.
O that it might be treason,
for men to rule by will, and not by reason.