When David heard

General information

Source of text: 2 Samuel 18:33

Settings by composers

• Robert Ramsey SSTTBB
• Thomas Tomkins SAATB or ATTBB
• Thomas Weelkes SSAATB

See also Absalon, fili mi for settings of the equivalent text in Latin.

Text and translations

English text When David heard that Absalom was slain He went up into his chamber over the gate and wept, and thus he said: my son, my son, O Absalom my son, would God I had died for thee!

German translation Als David hörte, dass Absalom erschlagen war, ging er auf sein Zimmer über dem Tor und weinte. Und dann sprach er: O Absalom mein Sohn, hätte Gott mich an deiner Statt sterben lassen!