This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Away, thou shalt not love me
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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3 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Away, thou shalt not love me by John Wilbye — Lyrics
Away, thou shalt not love me.
So shall my love seem greater
And I shall love the better.
Shall it be so? what say you?
Read full lyrics
About Away, thou shalt not love me
John Wilbye's secular madrigal Away, thou shalt not love me is set for SSA voices in English. The text explores a playful paradox of love, where feigned indifference is seen as a sign of deeper affection. The singers are invited to embody this witty exchange, with the composer responding to the text's rhetorical questions through his music. The three-part texture allows for delicate interplay and expressive dissonance as the argument unfolds. This piece is ideal for a concert programme seeking a charming and engaging Renaissance part-song that showcases the ensemble's agility and interpretive skill in conveying subtle emotional nuances.
