Susanna fair (1588) (William Byrd)
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- Editor: David Fraser (added 2004-12-06). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 119 kbytes Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Revised March 2008
General Information
Title: Susanna fair (1588)
Composer: William Byrd
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Sacred, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Psalmes, sonets, & songs (1588), no.29
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Susanna faire, sometime assaulted was,
by two old men desiring their delight:
whose false entent, they thought to bring to passe,
If not by tender love, by force & might:
to whom she said, if I your sute denye,
you will mee falsely accuse, and make mee die.
And if I graunt to that which you request,
my chastitie shall then defloured bee,
which is so deere to mee that I detest
my lyfe, if it beerefted bee from mee:
And rather would I dye of mine accord,
ten thousand times, then once offend the Lord.