Wounded I am - Yet of us twain (William Byrd)

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Music files (2 editions available)

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• CPDL #10962:

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2006-02-09).   Score information: Letter, 9 pages, 160 kbytes   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Includes the second part ("Yet of us twain") – All scores listed alphabetically by composer

• CPDL #5824:

Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2003-10-21).   Score information: A4, 7 pages, 129 kbytes    Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Revised Feb 09.

General Information

Title: Wounded I am – Yet of us twain
Composer: William Byrd

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Songs of sundrie natures (1589), nos. 17–18

Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

Wounded I am, and dare not seek relief,
For this new stroke, unseen but not unfelt;
No blood nor bruise is witness to my grief.
But sighs, but sighs and tears,
wherewith I mourn and melt.
If I complain my witness is suspect.
If I contain with cares I am undone,
sit still and die, tell truth and be reject,
tell truth and be reject,
O hateful choice that sorrow cannot shun,

Yet of us twain whose loss shall be the less?
Mine of my life, or you of your good name,
light is my death regarding my distress,
but your offence cries to your defame:
A virgin fair hath slain for lack of grace,
the man that made an Idol of her face.