This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Ah! cannot sighs nor tears
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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Ah! cannot sighs nor tears by John Wilbye — Lyrics
Ah! cannot sighs not tears, nor aught else move thee
To pity me, who more than life do love thee?
O cruel fates! see, now away she’s flying,
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About Ah! cannot sighs nor tears
John Wilbye’s SSATTB madrigal Ah! cannot sighs nor tears captures the anguish of unrequited love with striking emotional intensity. The vocal lines weave together with intricate polyphony, creating moments of dense harmonic richness that underscore the singer’s despair. Wilbye’s masterful word-painting brings the text to vivid life, depicting the lover’s pleas, the cruel departure of the beloved, and the ultimate pain of abandonment. This secular English piece from the Renaissance is a powerful expression of human emotion, showcasing the composer’s skill in balancing complex vocal textures with profound lyrical sentiment.
