Susanna fair (1589) (William Byrd)

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  • CPDL #8692: Icon_pdf.gif Icon_snd.gif
Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2004-12-06).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 93 kB    Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Revised Feb 09.

General Information

Title: Susanna fair
Composer: William Byrd

Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: SAT

Genre: SecularPartsong

Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Songs of sundrie natures (1589), no.8

Description: The same text also exists in a 5-voice setting in the Psalmes, sonets, & songs... of 1588.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

Susanna fair some time assaulted was
by two old men, desiring their delight,
which lewd intent they thought to bring to pass,
if not by tender love, by force and might,
to whom she said, if I your suit deny,
you will me falsely accuse, and make me die.

And if I grant to that which you request,
my chastity shall then deflowered be,
which is so dear to me, that I detest
my life, if it berefted be from me,
and rather would I die of mine accord,
ten thousand times, than once offend our Lord.