Is Love a boy? - Boy pity me (William Byrd)
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- Editor: Maia McCormick (submitted 2019-12-24). Score information: A4, 6 pages, 163 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Parts 1 (notated with repeat) and 2.
- Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2012-04-17). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 38 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Reformatting of #9197, with corrections. Part 1 (Is Love a boy?) only.
- Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2005-08-30). Score information: A4, 6 pages, 46 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Part 1 (Is Love a boy?) only. NoteWorthy Composer file may be viewed and printed with NoteWorthy Composer Viewer.
- Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.
- Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2007-09-09). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 41 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Part 2 (Boy, pity me) only. NoteWorthy Composer file may be viewed and printed with NoteWorthy Composer Viewer.
- Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2004-09-09). Score information: A4, 7 pages, 270 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Revised Sept 2021 (error correction, formatting).
General Information
Title: Is Love a boy?
Composer: William Byrd
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1589 in Songs of sundrie natures, no. 15-16
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
- Part 1
Is Love a boy? What means he then to strike?
Or is he blind? Why will he be a guide?
Is he a man? Why doth he hurt his like?
Is he a God? Why doth he men deride?
No one of these, but one compact of all,
A wilful boy, a man still dealing blows,
Of purpose blind, to lead men to their thrall,
A God that rules unruly, God he knows.
- Part 2
Boy, pity me that am a child again,
Blind be no more, my guide to make me stray,
Man, use thy might to force away my pain,
God, do me good, and lead me to my way:
And if thou be'st a power to me unknown,
Power of my life, let here thy grace be shown.