Maiden fair, I deign to tell (Joseph Haydn)
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- Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2022-05-27). Score information: A4, 6 pages, 162 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: Maiden fair, I deign to tell
Composer: Joseph Haydn
Lyricist: Thomas Oliphant
Number of voices: 3vv Voicing: TTB
Genre: Secular, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: Piano
First published: 1890 The Orpheus (New series) no.226
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Maiden fair, O deign to tell,
If my ditty please thee,
Then I'll sing a last farewell,
And no longer tease thee;
Thou wert made in courts to shine,
Not in chains to languish,
Ah! what sweet delight were mine,
Could I soothe thine anguish.
Hallo! who's there? Who are you?
Begone, I say, won't you go? you rogues begone.
What's your name? What d'ye want?
Ye caterwauling rogues begone.
And of this midnight squalling make an end.
Maiden fair, the radiant stars,
Vigil now are keeping,
While the flow'rs on mossy beds
Tranquilly are sleeping;
Bridget, go and call the watchman,
He will quickly quell the riot,
Sure the rogues are drunk or mad,
You idle villains, you are full of wine and punch.
But no stars can ever shine,
With the radiant splendour
Of those bright blue eyes of thine,
Beaming soft and tender.
Wife! count the silver spoons,
Mind the hen-roost;
thieves! murder! quickly run
and fetch me down the blunderbuss,
To their own music the rogues shall dance.
Maiden fair, till you appear,
All is dark and dreary,
Do not let me linger here,
Sad at heart and weary;
Let thy smile like morning light,
Chase away all sadness,
Come then forth in radiance bright,
Fill this heart with gladness.
Plague upon you, drunken rascals,
Pray how much longer do you mean
to caterwaul beneath my window?
Get you gone, you noisy villains,
You caterwauling rascals, get you gone.