Is Love a boy? - Boy pity me (William Byrd)

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• CPDL #09197:  NoteWorthy Composer

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2005-08-30).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 46 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

Possible error(s) identified. Error summary: Note errors See the discussion page for full description.

• CPDL #07822:  Sibelius 4

Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2004-09-09).   Score information: A4, 7 pages, 134 kB    Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Revised Feb 09.

General Information

Title: Is Love a boy?
Composer: William Byrd

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Songs of sundrie natures (1589), nos. 15-16

Description:

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Original text and translations

English text Is Love a boy? What means he then to strike?
Or is he blind? Why will he be a guide?
Is he a man? Why doth he hurt his like?
Is he a God? Why doth he men deride?
No one of these, but one compact of all,
A wilful boy, a man still dealing blows,
of purpose blind, to lead men to their thrall,
a God that rules unruly, God he knows.
Boy, pity me that am a child again,
blind be no more, my guide to make me stray,
man use thy might to force away my pain,
God do me good, and lead me to my way:
and if thou be'st a power to me unknown,
power of my life, let here thy grace be shown.