This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Fair, sweet, cruel
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Fair, sweet, cruel by John Gerrard Williams — Lyrics
Fair, sweet, cruel, why dost thou fly me?
Go not, oh go not from thy dearest!
When thou dost hasten, I am nigh thee;
When thou seem’st far, then I am nearest.
Tarry then, and take me with you.
Fie! Fie! Sweetest, here is no danger;
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About Fair, sweet, cruel
This enchanting SATB setting of an English text captures the plaintive yet hopeful plea of a lover to their beloved. The words, drawn from Musicke of Sundrie Kindes (1607), paint a scene of gentle pursuit and affectionate persuasion. The composer skillfully evokes the emotional arc of the text, from the initial distress of perceived distance to the reassurance of closeness and the final, tender invitation to 'tarry then, and take me with you.' This secular partsong offers a rewarding opportunity for choirs to explore the delicate nuances of Renaissance-inspired vocal writing, balancing expressive lyricism with clear textual declamation.
