This edition was prepared by Chris Hutchings — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Dirge for Fidele
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Dirge for Fidele by Chris Hutchings — Lyrics
Note text variation: the start of verse 4 has "no exorciser bar me thee" in the arranged version, but Shakespeare's original has "no exorciser charm thee", and I would recommend this as an alternative for performance ("charm" sung over the two notes of "bar me").
1.
Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
Nor the furious winter's rages:
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney sweepers, come to dust.
2.
Fear no more the frown of the great,
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke:
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak:
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this, and come to dust.
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About Dirge for Fidele
This is an SATB setting of a text from Shakespeare's Cymbeline. The words, taken from the dirge sung over Fidele's supposed corpse, offer solace and peace in the face of death, reminding us that all earthly concerns and distinctions ultimately dissolve into dust. The composer captures the solemn yet comforting sentiment through rich vocal harmonies. The piece is scored for mixed-voice choir, singing in English, and is a poignant choice for occasions when reflection on mortality is appropriate. The composer notes a textual variation, suggesting an alternative reading for a specific phrase which can add an interesting interpretive layer for directors to consider.
