It was a lover and his lass (Thomas Morley)

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SST edition

• CPDL #25997:  Capella

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2012-04-21).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 26 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: At original pitch.

Solo w/Lute accompaniment

• CPDL #16199:  NoteWorthy Composer

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2008-02-19).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 21 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed down a major 2nd.

SATB edition

• CPDL #06756: 

Editor: John D. Smith (submitted 2004-02-20).   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Scores listed alphabetically by composer, some scores are also available as PDF files.

CPDL #28281:    NoteWorthy Composer 

Editor: Jan-Frerk Burmester (submitted 2013-02-15).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 64 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: edited with Noteworthy Composer 2

SAT edition

• CPDL #00611:  PDF, MIDI and ABC files available.

Editor: Laura Conrad (submitted 1999-12-07).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 48 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Transposed down a perfect 5th. In partbook format.

General Information

Title: It was a lover and his lass
Composer: Thomas Morley
Lyricist: William Shakespeare

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicings: SATB, SST, SAT or Tenor solo
with lute
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: English
Instruments: a cappella or lute accompaniment
Published:

Description:

External websites:

• Live performance of this work by the dwsChorale

Original text and translations

English text

It was a lover and his lass,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny no,
That o'er the green cornfields did pass.
In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding-a-ding-a-ding;
Sweet lovers love the spring.

Between the acres of the rye,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny no,
These pretty country folks would lie,
In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding-a-ding-a-ding;
Sweet lovers love the spring.

This carol they began that hour,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny no,
How that a life was but a flower
In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding-a-ding-a-ding;
Sweet lovers love the spring.

Then, pretty lovers, take the time
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny no,
For love is crownéd with the prime
In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding-a-ding-a-ding;
Sweet lovers love the spring.