This edition was prepared by Michael Gray — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
But do thy worst to steal thyself away
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
Preview
0
0
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
But do thy worst to steal thyself away by Michael Gray — Lyrics
But do thy worst to steal thyself away,
For term of life thou art assurèd mine,
And life no longer than thy love will stay,
For it depends upon that love of thine.
Then need I not to fear the worst of wrongs,
When in the least of them my life hath end.
I see a better state to me belongs
Read full lyrics
About But do thy worst to steal thyself away
Michael Gray’s SAB setting of a 17th-century English text explores themes of devotion and mortality. The music mirrors the lyrical content, with the voices engaging in interplay that reflects the speaker's complex emotions. The composer skillfully navigates the text’s philosophical musings on the nature of life, love, and dependence, while the SAB voicing allows for rich harmonic texture and contrapuntal interest. This part-song offers an opportunity for choirs to engage with both the expressive text and the musical craftsmanship.
