All in a garden green (Traditional)
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- Editor: Peter Smith (submitted 2019-07-29). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 55 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes: Arranged by Peter Smith. A simple arrangement for unaccompanied choir.
General Information
Title: All in a garden green
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)
Lyricist: Unknown
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 2019
Description: The tune comes from William Ballet's Lute Book (1590). It is a version of the tune which forms the basis for Sweelinck's Organ Variations on "Unter den Linden grüne". The origin of the English words is unclear.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
All in a garden green, two lovers sat at ease,
As they could scarce be seen above the leafy trees.
They lovèd lofty full, and no wronger than truly,
In the time of the year cam betwixt May and July.
Quoth he, "Most lovely maid, my troth shall ay endure,
And be not thou afraid, but rest thee still secure
That I will love thee, long as life in me shall last:
Now I am strong and young and when my youth is past.
"When I am grey and old, and then must stoop to age,
I'le love thee twenty-fold, my troth I here engage.
My love shall be the same, it never shall decay,
But shine without all blame, though body turn to clay."
She listen'd to his song, and heard it with a smile,
And innocent as young, she dreamèd not of guile.
No guile was meant by Will, for he was true as steel,
As was there aught deceit when she made him a will.
Full soon both two were wed, and these most faithful lovers
Base are but born and bred, example to all others.
They lovèd lofty full, and no wronger than truly,
In the time of the year cam betwixt May and July.