This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
A Shepherd in the glade
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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A Shepherd in the glade by Cyril Bradley Rootham — Lyrics
A shepherd in a glade
His plaining made
Of love and lover’s wrong
Unto the fairest lass
That trod on grass,
And thus began his song:
“Since love and fortune will,
I honour still
Your fair and lovely eye:
What conquest will it be,
Sweet Nymph, for thee,
If I for sorrow die?
Restore, restore my heart again,
Which love by thy sweet looks hath slain,
Lest, that enforced by your disdain I sing,
‘Fie, fie, fie on love, it is a foolish thing.’”
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About A Shepherd in the glade
This charming SATB setting of an English secular text paints a vivid picture of a shepherd lamenting his unrequited love. The words express a lover’s plea for mercy and a despair that threatens to turn to bitterness. Rootham’s composition captures the pastoral setting and the emotional arc of the text, moving from tender adoration to a heartfelt cry against cruelty. The vocal writing likely offers a pleasing challenge for a choir looking for a lyrical and expressive part-song suitable for a concert programme. Its blend of poetic sentiment and musical setting makes it a delightful choice for an ensemble seeking to explore the English partsong tradition.
