Here rests his head

General information

The epitaph (final three verses) from Thomas Gray's Elegy written in a country churchyard

Settings by composers (automatically updated)

• Theodore Aylward — Here rests his head (canzonet)  English SS
• Theodore Aylward — Here rests his head (glee)  English ATTB
• Jonathan Battishill — Here rests his head  English SAB
• Thomas Billington — Here rests his head  English ATB

Text and translations

English text Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth A youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown. Fair Science frown'd not on his humble birth, And Melancholy mark'd him for her own. Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere, Heav'n did a recompense as largely send: He gave to Mis'ry all he had, a tear, He gain'd from Heav'n, 'twas all he wish'd, a friend. No further seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode (There they alike in trembling hope repose), The bosom of his Father and his God.