This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
A garland for our fairest
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · James Gibb
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A garland for our fairest by John Liptrot Hatton — Lyrics
A garland for our fairest,
For her we love so well,
We'll weave with flowers the rarest
In garden and in dell.
The daisy, like her gentle heart,
So modest, pure and meek;
The rose to match the blushing bloom
That decks her dainty cheek.
Thus blooming, sweetly blooming,
Our garland bright shall go!
Ah! when she sees
We fain would please,
Will she one smile bestow!
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About A garland for our fairest
John Liptrot Hatton's A garland for our fairest is a charming four-part setting for SATB choir. This secular English partsong weaves a delightful lyrical description of a maiden's beauty, comparing her to various flowers. The text opens by describing the creation of a garland from the rarest blooms to honour 'our fairest, for her we love so well.' Each flower is carefully chosen to reflect a specific attribute: the daisy for gentleness and purity, the rose for her blushing cheeks, and the lily for her white fingers. The poem concludes by acknowledging that while flowers can represent her charm, they cannot fully express the changeless love felt by the singers. Hatton's music likely captures the sweet sentimentality of this affectionate tribute.
