possibly by Christopher Hatton, Sir (1581 - 1619)

Yet if that age had frosted o’er his head
 (Sung text for setting by O. Gibbons)
 See base text
Language: English 
 ... 

Yet if that age had frosted o’er his head, 
Or if his face had furrow'd been with years,
I would not thus bemoan that he is dead.
I might have been more niggard of my tears;
But O the Sun new rose is gone to bed,
And Lillies in their spring-time hang their head.

Liveless Coarse = lifeless corpse

Composition:

    Set to music by Orlando Gibbons (1583 - 1625), "Yet if that age had frosted o’er his head", published 1612, stanza 3 [ sattb chorus ], from First Set of Madrigals, no. 19, Verified with The First Sett of Madrigals and Mottets of 5. parts: apt for Viols and Voyces by Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Snodham, London 1612.
        Score: IMSLP [external link]

Text Authorship:

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Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2025-10-27
Line count: 18
Word count: 157