This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
A Night-Piece
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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A Night-Piece by Henry Hiles — Lyrics
Her eyes the glowworm lend thee,
The shooting stars attend thee;
The elves also,
Whose little eyes glow
Like sparks of fire, befriend thee.
No Willo'th’Wisp mislight thee;
Nor snake, nor slowworm bite thee:
But on, on thy way
Not making a stay,
Since ghost there's none to affright thee.
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About A Night-Piece
Henry Hiles's A Night-Piece is an SATB part-song for unaccompanied voices. Setting a lively English text, the composer conjures a magical nocturnal scene. The lyrics describe the protection and guidance offered by natural phenomena and mythical creatures to a traveler, Julia, on her way. Elements such as glow-worms, shooting stars, and stars themselves are invoked to light her path, while she is assured that no harm or fright will befall her. The poem culminates in a tender invitation, as the speaker awaits Julia, ready to share his soul. Hiles's setting would have been typical of the Victorian part-song tradition, offering a charming and evocative musical interpretation of the poetic imagery.
