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

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Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2005-08-30).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 46 kB   Copyright: Personal
Edition notes: Part 1 (Is Love a boy?) only. Nwc.png
Error.gif Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.


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: SecularPartsong

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

Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

Part 1

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.

Part 2

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.