What art thou? from what causes dost thou spring? (William Croft)
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- (Posted 2023-11-05) CPDL #76959:
- Editors: Mick Swithinbank and Jonathan Goodliffe (submitted 2023-11-05). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 224 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: What art thou? from what causes dost thou spring?
Composer: William Croft
Lyricist: Robert Gould
Number of voices: 1v Voicing: T
Genre: Secular, Hymn
Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo
From Harmonia Sacra, Henry Playford, 1714, volume 2 page 63
Description: A hymn to music in its original version. The source describes the accompaniment as "through-bass for the theorbo-lute, bass-viol, harpsichord or organ". The composer Benjamin Britten rearranged the piece for piano accompaniment
Original text and translations
English text
What art thou? from what causes dost thou spring?
Oh! Music thou divine mysterious thing?
Let me but know and knowing give me voice to sing
Art thou the warmth in spring that Zephyr breathes,
Painting the meads and whistling through the leaves.
The happy season that all grief exiles,
When God is pleased and the creation smiles?
Or art thou love that mind to mind imparts,
The endless concord of agreeing hearts?
Or art thou friendship, yet a nobler flame?
That can a dearer way make souls the same?
Or art thou rather which do all trans-cend
The centre which at last the bless'd ascend,
The seat where Halelujahs never end;
Corporeal eyes won't let us clearly see,
But either thou art heav'n or heav'n is thee.