About the maypole (Thomas Morley)

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• (Posted 2025-08-17)  CPDL #86377:       

Editor: Leonardo Lollini (submitted 2025-08-17).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 170 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Original pitch and durations. Modern clefs.

• (Posted 2011-07-18)  CPDL #23919:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2011-07-18).   Score information: A4, 5 pages, 91 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: A reformatting of #14986, with corrections. Revised files uploaded 13/02/18.

Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.

• (Posted 2007-09-13)  CPDL #14986:         

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2007-09-13).   Score information: Letter, 6 pages, 75 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: On external site, listed alphabetically under "Ballets".

Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.

General Information

Title: About the maypole
Composer: Thomas Morley

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicings: SSATB, SSTTB or SSAAB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1595 in First Book of Ballets, no. 11
Description: The range of the alto and tenor parts is identical, d-a'.

Original text and translations

English text 1. About the maypole new, with glee and merriment, While as the bagpipe tooted it, Thirsis and Cloris fine together footed it. Fa la la. And to the wanton instrument, They went to and fro (both) and finely flaunted it And then they met again and thus they chanted it Fa la la. 2. The shepherds and the nymphs them round enclosed had, Wond'ring with what facility About they turned them in such strange agility Fa la la. And still when they unloosed had, With words full of delight, they gently kissed them, And thus sweetly to sing they never missed them. Fa la la.

English original text 1. About the May pole new, with glee and merriment, While as the Bagpipe tooted it, Thirsis and Cloris fine together footed it. Fa la la. And to the wanton Instrument, They went toe and froe (both) and finely flaunted it And then they met againe and thus they chanted it. Fa la la. 2. The Shepherds and the Nimphs them round enclosed had, Wondring with what facilitie, About they turned them in such strange agilitie. Fa la la. And still when they unloosed had, With words full of delight they gently kissed them, And thus sweetly to sing they never missed them. Fa la la.

Italian translation 1. Vicino al nuovo albero di maggio, con gioia e allegria, mentre la cornamusa (lo) suonava, Tirsi e Clori (lo) ballavano insieme con grazia. Fa la la. E al suono del lascivo strumento, andavano avanti e indietro, entrambi, e (lo) esibivano con eleganza, e poi si incontravano di nuovo; e così (lo) cantavano: Fa la la. 2. I pastori e le ninfe li circondavano, meravigliandosi con quanta facilità gli girassero intorno con così insolita agilità. Fa la la. E anche quando si erano sciolti, con parole piene di piacere, li baciavano delicatamente e così di cantar dolcemente non mancavano mai. Fa la la.