This edition was prepared by David Fraser — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Ah silly Soul
Staff Notation • Secular, Consort songs
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Ah silly Soul by William Byrd — Lyrics
Ah silly Soule, how are thy thoughts confounded
betwixt two loves, that far unlikely are?
Lustes love is blinde, and by no reason bounded.
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About Ah silly Soul
William Byrd's Ah silly Soule offers a poignant reflection on the human condition. The text explores the confusion of the soul caught between worldly desires and heavenly love, portraying lust as blind and reasonless, while heavenly love is clear and incomparable. This contrast highlights the difficulty of discerning true spiritual guidance when clouded by earthly passions. The piece is set for solo voice, an example of the consort song genre popular in the English Renaissance. Byrd's masterful setting draws the listener into the singer's internal struggle, making it a compelling choice for intimate performance. Its secular English text and intimate voicing make it a work of profound personal expression.
