Adieu, farewell earth's blisse,
This world uncertain is,
Fond are lifes lustfull joyes,
Death proves them all but toyes.
None from his darts can flye,
I am sick I must die--
Lord have mercy on us.
[ ... ]
Pestilence Songs
Song Cycle by Poul Ruders (b. 1949)
1. Adieu, farewell earth's bliss! [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), "A Litany in Time of Plague", written 1593, appears in Summer's Last Will and Testament, first published 1600
See other settings of this text.
View original text (without footnotes)1 Rowland: "cannot"
Researcher for this page: Ahmed E. Ismail
2. Rich men, trust not in wealth [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
[ ... ]
Rich men, trust not in wealth,
Gold cannot buy you health;
Physic himself must fade.
All things to end are made.
The plague full swift goes by;
I am sick, I must die--
Lord have mercy on us.
Text Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), "A Litany in Time of Plague", written 1593, appears in Summer's Last Will and Testament, first published 1600
See other settings of this text.
View original text (without footnotes)1 Rowland: "cannot"
Researcher for this page: Ahmed E. Ismail
3. Beauty is but a flower [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
[ ... ]
Beauty is but a flower,
Which wrinkles will devour,
Brightness falls from the air,
Queens have died young and fair,
Dust hath closed Helen's eye.
I am sick, I must die--
Lord have mercy on us.
Text Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), "A Litany in Time of Plague", written 1593, appears in Summer's Last Will and Testament, first published 1600
See other settings of this text.
View original text (without footnotes)1 Rowland: "cannot"
Researcher for this page: Ahmed E. Ismail
4. Strength stoops unto the grave [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
[ ... ]
Strength stoops unto the grave,
Worms feed on Hector brave
Swords [may not]1 fight with fate
Earth still holds ope her gate;
Come, come! the bells do cry;
I am sick, I must die--
Lord have mercy on us.
Text Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), "A Litany in Time of Plague", written 1593, appears in Summer's Last Will and Testament, first published 1600
See other settings of this text.
View original text (without footnotes)1 Rowland: "cannot"
Researcher for this page: Ahmed E. Ismail
5. Wit with his wantonness [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
[ ... ]
Wit with his wantonness
Tasteth death's bitterness
Hell's executioner
Hath no ears for to hear
What vain art can reply;
I am sick, I must die--
Lord have mercy on us.
Text Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), "A Litany in Time of Plague", written 1593, appears in Summer's Last Will and Testament, first published 1600
See other settings of this text.
View original text (without footnotes)1 Rowland: "cannot"
Researcher for this page: Ahmed E. Ismail
6. Haste, therefore, each degree [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
[ ... ]
Haste therefore each degree,
To welcome destiny:
Heav'n is our heritage,
Earth but a player's stage,
Mount we unto the sky.
I am sick, I must die--
Lord have mercy on us.
Text Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), "A Litany in Time of Plague", written 1593, appears in Summer's Last Will and Testament, first published 1600
See other settings of this text.
View original text (without footnotes)1 Rowland: "cannot"
Researcher for this page: Ahmed E. Ismail
Total word count: 1272