O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth (William Byrd)

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• (Posted 2023-01-31)  CPDL #72476:     

Editor: Hugo Janacek (submitted 2023-01-31).   Score information: A4, 8 pages, 157 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: This edition is transposed a tone above the original written pitch, and is scored for SAATTB. This pitch is suggested for choirs who would prefer not to use an edition in four flats, and whose altos are comfortable in a low register. A contemporary organ part is provided, but this setting may also be sung unaccompanied. This version of the work is a reconstruction of the form in which is was performed at Cambridge in the late 1620s. This includes alterations to the music compared to earlier sources, and period musica ficta and ornamentation, all derived from sources in Cambridge in the 1620s. It is texted to ‘Charles our King’.

• (Posted 2023-01-31)  CPDL #72475:     

Editor: Hugo Janacek (submitted 2023-01-31).   Score information: A4, 8 pages, 156 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: This edition is set at the original written pitch, and is scored for ATTBBB. A contemporary organ part is provided, but this setting may also be sung unaccompanied. This version of the work is a reconstruction of the form in which is was performed at Cambridge in the late 1620s. This includes alterations to the music compared to earlier sources, and period musica ficta and ornamentation, all derived from sources in Cambridge in the 1620s. It is texted to ‘Charles our King’.

• (Posted 2021-03-22)  CPDL #63627: 

Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2021-03-22).   Score information: A4, 14 pages, 235 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. Underlay included for later sovereigns.

• (Posted 2020-06-03)  CPDL #59024:     

Editor: Gary D. Cannon (submitted 2020-06-03).   Score information: Letter, 5 pages, 83 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

• (Posted 2017-11-18)  CPDL #47456:       

Editor: Andrew Sims (submitted 2017-11-18).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 106 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: A bar-less edition of the anthem.

• (Posted 2006-01-08)  CPDL #10653:   

Editor: Diana Thompson (submitted 2006-01-08).   Score information: A4, 5 pages, 130 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed up a minor third. Includes a keyboard reduction of the a cappella choral score.

• (Posted 2005-10-19)  CPDL #09987:   

Editor: Robin Doveton (submitted 2005-10-19).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 199 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed up a major 3rd. Revised Sept 2020.

• (Posted 2004-01-15)  CPDL #06496:        (Finale 2000)

Editor: Sabine Cassola (submitted 2004-01-15).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 152 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

• (Posted 2002-05-30)  CPDL #03650: 

Editor: Rupert Preston Bell (submitted 2002-05-30).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 46 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: for ATTBBB

General Information

Title: O Lord, make Thy servant Elizabeth
Composer: William Byrd

Number of voices: 6vv   Voicings: SAATTB or ATTBBB
Genre: Sacred, Anthem

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

    Manuscript 1580 in Dow Partbooks, no. 57
Description:  Setting of a prayer for the sovereign, used until the reign of Anne, or perhaps later.

External websites:

• 1968 performance on YouTube (Guildford Cathedral Choir) - Barry Rose

Original text and translations

English text O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth our Queen to rejoice in thy strength: give her her heart's desire, and deny not the request of her lips; but prevent her with thine everlasting blessing, and give her a long life, even for ever and ever. Amen. N.B. for male monarchs (James I - James II) "Elizabeth our Queen" was replaced by "Our sov'reign lord the King" (and "her" by "his"/"him")

German translation O Herr, lass deine Dienerin Elisabeth, unsere Königin, sich deiner Stärke erfreuen. Gib ihr, was ihr Herz begehrt, und versage ihr nicht den Wunsch auf ihren Lippen, sondern komme ihr zuvor mit deinem ewigwährenden Segen, und gib ihr ein langes Leben, sogar ein ewiges. Amen.