This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Awake! the starry midnight hour
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Awake! the starry midnight hour by William Aubrey Powell — Lyrics
Awake!—the starry midnight hour
Hangs charm’d, and pauseth in its flight:
In its own sweetness sleeps the flower,
And the doves lie hushed in deep delight!
Awake! awake!
Look forth, my love, for Love’s sweet sake!
Awake!—within the muskrose bower
I watch, pale flower of love, for thee:
Ah, come, and shew the starry hour
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About Awake! the starry midnight hour
This setting of an English text is a charming partsong, ideal for an evening concert or a gathering of friends. The composer William Aubrey Powell captures the romantic atmosphere of a summer night, urging a lover to awaken and reveal their affection. The text opens with a vision of a tranquil midnight hour, where nature itself seems to hold its breath. The poem then shifts to a more personal plea, asking the beloved to emerge from their bower and share their hidden love. The SATB voicing allows for rich harmonies to convey the depth of emotion, building to a joyful climax as the beloved finally appears. It is a delightful secular piece that celebrates the beauty of love and nature.
