If that a sinner's sighs

Settings by composers

• William Byrd SATTB
• John Dowland SATB (v.1 only, modernised English)

Texts and Translations

English text

1  If that a sinners sighes, bee Angels food, or that repentaunt teares bee Angels wine, accept O Lord in this most pensive moode, these hartie sighes and faithfull teares of mine: That went with Peter forth most sinfullie, but not with Peter wept most bitterlie. 2  If I had Davids Crowne to mee betide, or all his purple robes that hee did weare, I would lay then such honor all aside, and onely seeke a sackcloth weede to beare, his Pallace would I leave that I might show, and mourne in cell for such offence, my woe. 3  Ther should these hands beat on my pensive brest and sad, to death, for sorrow rend my haire, my voice to call on thee, should never rest, whose grace I seeke, whose judgement I doe feare: upon the ground all groveling on my face, I would beseech thy favour and good grace.

4  But since I have not meane to make the show of my repentaunt minde, and yet I see my sinne to greater heape than Peters grow, wherby the daunger more it is to mee, I put my trust in his most precious bloud, whose life was paid to purchase all our good. 5  Thy mercie greater is then any sinne, thy greatnesse non can ever comprehend: wherefore O Lord, let mee thy mercie winne, whose glorious name no time can ever end: wherefore I say all prayse belongs to thee, whom I beseech bee mercifull to mee.

External links

CategoryText pages