A Maid in Bedlam (Jennifer Bastable)

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• (Posted 2023-11-18)  CPDL #77432:       

Editor: Jennifer Bastable (submitted 2023-11-18).   Score information: Letter, 9 pages, 400 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: A Maid in Bedlam
Composer: Jennifer Bastable
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Folksong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published:
Description:  SATB setting of verses from the broadside ballad A Maid in Bedlam. Although the tune is not traditional, it lies firmly within the folk idiom.

The various short solo sections are intended to be sung from within the choir.

Original text and translations

English text

One morning very early, one morning in the spring,
I heard a maid in Bedlam who mournfully did sing.
Her chains she rattled on her hands while sweetly thus sang she:
  I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.

O cruel were his parents who sent my love to sea,
And cruel, cruel was the galleon that bore my love from me.
Yet I love his parents since they're his, although they've ruined me,
  And I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.

I'll make a strawy garland, I'll make it wondrous fine,
With roses, lilies and daisies I will mix the eglantine,
And I'll present it to my love when he returns from sea,
  For I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.

O if I were a little bird, I’d build upon his breast,
And if I were a nightingale I would sing my love to rest,
To gaze upon his lovely eyes all my reward should be,
  For I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.

And if I were an eagle, I’d soar into the sky,
And I'd gaze around with piercing eye where I my love might spy.
But ah, unhappy maiden, that love you ne'er shall see,
  Yet I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.