Madrigals to three, four, five and six voices

Song Cycle by Thomas Weelkes (1576 - 1623)

?. Our country‑swains in the morris dance
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Our country-swains in the morris dance
Thus woo and win their brides,
Will for our town the hobby horse
At pleasure frolic rides:
I woo with tears and ne’er the near,
I die in grief and live in fear.

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. by A. H. Bullen, London, John C. Nimmo, 1887, page 96.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

?. Now every tree renews his summer’s green
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Now every tree renews his summer’s green,
Why is your heart in winter’s garments clad?
Your beauty says my love is summer’s queen,
But your cold love like winter makes me sad:
Then either spring with buds of love again
Or else congeal my thoughts with your disdain.

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. by A. H. Bullen, London, John C. Nimmo, 1887, page 83.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

?. Lo! country sport that seldom fades
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Lo! country sport that seldom fades;
A garland of the spring,
A prize for dancing, country maids
With merry pipes we bring.
Then all at once for our town cries!
Pipe on, for we will have the prize.

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

Go to the general single-text view

Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. by A. H. Bullen, London, John C. Nimmo, 1887, page 68.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 125