canasg choral music publishing - I love, great God above

SG1008

I love, great God above

Music: Sheena Phillips. Words: Anon

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SATB

performance time approx 0m 30s (sung once through)

tune and words 16th century Scottish anon.
arranged by Sheena Phillips
for soprano, alto, tenor and bass chorus

Price code: B

Complexity: *

See a perusal copy (PDF format) of the music.
This copy is not licensed for rehearsal, performance or recording.
Hear a MIDI rendering of I love, great God above

This song is based on a lively dance tune from the court of James VI of Scotland. The words are those of a man who is not getting the favour he feels he deserves from his lady, and is on the point of taking his charms elsewhere. The voicing could be varied from verse to verse. A tenor and bass duet would work well, given the subject of the song. Instrumental doubling or replacement of some or all of the vocal parts could also be effective.
The tune, placed here in the tenor line (originally soprano), was published for the first time in a modern edition in Sixteenth-century Scots songs for voice and lute, Musica Scotica II (edited and arranged by Kenneth Elliott, University of Glasgow Music Department Publications, 1996).

full pronunciation guide included

Words

I love, great God above
I love great God above,
I'm not opprest with love;
But daily may remove,

When liketh me.
Be she for my behove,
I list for no reprove:

[list - desire]
Ay, when I list to love,

I may let be,
And choose another love that will love me.
I see Lovers anew,
That are both trust and true;
For love changes hide and hew

And blaikned be,

[is made pale]
When she lists not to rew,

[rew - pity]
Why should I more pursue?
Ay when I list ...
Since wicked variance,
And false dissimulance,
And double inconstance

Beareth the gree:

[gree - victory]
Since faithful observance,
Can get no recompence:
Ay when I list ...
Since faith cannot be found,
Nor pity can abound,
Why should I run on ground,

And cannot flee?
As good love lost as found,
Far better loose than bound:
Ay when I list...
Since I am not her mease;

[mease - measure]
She is so ill to please,
Love doth her most disease,

[disease - upset]

That cannot flee.
Since as good comes as goes,
My heart yet shal I raise:
Ay when I list ...
Published in Forbes, Songs & Fancies (Aberdeen, 1682).
Edited by Dr Kenneth Elliott, Department of Music, University of Glasgow.

Translation
I love, good grief yes, but it doesn't weigh me down - I can leave her any time. Even if she's the right one for me I'm not taking any nagging from her. I can always find someone else who will love me on my own terms.
New lovers may be true to each other, but love changes and dwindles with time; if she can't pity me, why should I carry on trying to win her?
Unfaithfulness and deceit and double dealing seem to be successful, while faithful behaviour wins nothing.
Since I'm not getting anywhere with her, why tarry any longer? Much better move on and try my luck elsewhere.
I'm obviously not a good match for her – she's so hard to please and seems averse to declarations of undying love. I'll look elsewhere - and I'll feel better soon.
Translation by Canasg editors

Full pronunciation guide provided

Purchase – 1008: I love, great God above

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