canasg choral music publishing

SG1012

To a ladye

poem by William Dunbar (c.1460 - c.1513)

set to music by Michael Buck
for soprano, alto, tenor and bass chamber chorus

SATB performance time approx 2m 15s

Composer's notes

This is a quiet and reflective setting of a poem by the early Scots poet William Dunbar, who served at the court of James IV. As is so often the case in songs or poems from this period, a lover describes the hopelessness of his situation. He's in a double bind; as well as being rejected by his lady of choice, the leaves of the rue plant (a traditional, if bitter, remedy) have all been killed off by the cold March winds - so not even the meagre comfort of rue is available.

In many parts of the song two voice parts double each other, making a rather bare harmony which suits the words. The phrases should rise and fall almost in the pattern of speech, lingering on the bitter-sweet transitions from major to minor. There's lots of alliteration, and many very expressive phrases, so delivery of the words is paramount.

The song is deeply felt rather than miserable. Even in his unhappiness, the rejected lover appreciates both his lady, and the garden flowers, and his beloved rue. As a rather intimate piece it is most suitable for a small ensemble of, say, 4 or 8 singers.

Music

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Words

To a ladye

Sweit rois of vertew and of gentilnes,
delytsum lyllie of everie lustynes,
richest in bontie and in bewtie cleir,
and everie vertew that is held most deir,
except onlie that ye ar mercyles.

In to your garthe this day I did persew,
Thair saw I flowris that fresche wer of hew;
Baith quhyte and reid moist lusty wer to seyne,
And halsum herbis upone stalkis grene;
Yit leif nor flour fynd could I nane of rew.

I dout that Merche, with his caild blastis keyne,
Hes slane this gentill herbe that I of mene,
Quhois petewous deithe dois to my hart sic pane
That I wald mak to plant his rute agane,
So confortand his levis unto me bene.

William Dunbar (c1460-c1513)

Rough transcription into English:

Sweet rose of virtue and gentleness,
Delightful and most fair lily,
Richest in bounty and in clear beauty,
And in every esteemed virtue,
Except only that you are merciless.

I went into your garden today,
I saw flowers in fresh colours;
Both white and red were most pretty to behold,
And healthy herbs on green stalks;
But I could find neither leaf nor flower of the rue plant.

I think that the cold winds of March
Have killed this gentle herb that I sing of,
Whose piteous death gives my heart such pain
That I intend to plant its root again,
So comforting its leaves have been to me.

Canasg editors

Full pronunciation guide provided

Price per copy Ł1.30 ($2.00)

Note: This price is for the first 20 licensed copies of the song, further copies cost only 25% of this price.

Companion pieces

Browse the Scots and Gaelic section of the Canasg catalogue for more songs like this one. To go there now, click on the 'catalogue' box to the right.

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To a ladye

Composer's notes

Music

Words

Companion pieces

Canasg Music