This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Blow, blow, thou winter wind
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · James Gibb
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Blow, blow, thou winter wind by George Alexander Macfarren — Lyrics
Blow, blow, thou winter wind.
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen,
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude.
Heighho! sing, heighho!
unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning,
most loving meere folly:
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About Blow, blow, thou winter wind
George Alexander Macfarren sets Shakespeare's familiar words to this robust SATB setting. The text, taken from the song sung by the Fool in As You Like It, contrasts the harshness of winter with the greater cruelty of human ingratitude and fickle friendship. Macfarren captures the text's blend of melancholy and defiant cheerfulness in this secular part-song, with its recurring refrain 'Heigh-ho, the holly!' The music navigates the changing moods of the lyrics, offering a satisfying challenge for an accomplished choir.
