by George Wither (1588 - 1667)
I loved a lass, a fair one
Language: English
I loved a lass, a fair one, As fair as e'er was seen; She was indeed a rare one, Another Sheba Queen: But, fool as then I was, I thought she loved me too: But now, alas! she 's left me, Falero, lero, loo! Her hair like gold did glister, Each eye was like a star, She did surpass her sister, Which pass'd all others far; She would me honey call, She'd -- O she'd kiss me too! But now, alas! she 's left me, Falero, lero, loo! Many a merry meeting My love and I have had; She was my only sweeting, She made my heart full glad; The tears stood in her eyes Like to the morning dew: But now, alas! she 's left me, Falero, lero, loo! Her cheeks were like the cherry, Her skin was white as snow; When she was blithe and merry She angel-like did show; Her waist exceeding small, The fives did fit her shoe: But now, alas! she 's left me, Falero, lero, loo! In summer time or winter She had her heart's desire; I still did scorn to stint her From sugar, sack, or fire; The world went round about, No cares we ever knew: But now, alas! she 's left me, Falero, lero, loo! To maidens' vows and swearing Henceforth no credit give; You may give them the hearing, But never them believe; They are as false as fair, Unconstant, frail, untrue: For mine, alas! hath left me, Falero, lero, loo!
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- by George Wither (1588 - 1667), "I loved a lass" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Louise Pauline Marie Héritte-Viardot (1841 - 1918), "Falero, lero, loo!", published 1892 [ voice and piano ], London : J. B. Cramer & Co [sung text not yet checked]
- by Humphrey Procter-Gregg (1895 - 1980), "I loved a lass " [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Eric Sams (1926 - 2004), "I loved a lass", 1953 [ voice and piano ], confirmed with a concert programme booklet [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-06-23
Line count: 48
Word count: 250