The Lark (William Billings)
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- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2015-05-06). Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 72 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Oval note edition. The other four stanzas of Flatman's hymn have been added below.
- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2015-05-06). Score information: Unknown, 2 pages, 71 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Note shapes added (4-shape). The other four stanzas of Flatman's hymn have been added below.
General Information
Title: The Lark
First Line: Look up and see the unwearied sun
Composer: William Billings
Lyricist: Thomas Flatman
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn Meter: 88. 88 (L.M.)
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
Published: 1790
Description: First published as a separate piece, published by the author in 1790 (see Kroeger 1986). Words by Thomas Flatman, 1674. Billings has used the second stanza of Flatman's hymn; the first stanza begins Awake, my soul! Awake, mine eyes. For another version of this hymn, see Awake my soul, awake mine eyes (Thomas Clark).
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
1. Awake, my soul! Awake, mine eyes
“Tis time for morning sacrifice.
Awake, and see the new-born light
Spring from the darksome womb of night.
2. Look up, and see the unwearied sun
Already hath his race begun:
The pretty lark is mounted high,
And sings her matins in the sky.
3. Arise, my soul! And thou, my voice,
In songs of early praise rejoice!
O great Creator! Heavenly King!
Thy praises ever let me sing.
4. Thy power hath made, Thy goodness kept
This fenceless body while I slept;
Yet one day more hath lent to me,
From all the powers of darkness free.
5. O keep my heart from sin secure,
My life unblameable and pure;
That, when my last of days is come,
Serenely I may wait my doom.