This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Farewell disdainful
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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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.
SAT · Brian Russell
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Farewell disdainful by Thomas Morley — Lyrics
Farewell disdainful, since no love avails me,
O sharp and bitter anguish,
What discord grief assails me?
Needs I must part, alas, yet parting makes me languish.
But yet it pleaseth thee.
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About Farewell disdainful
A poignant madrigal from the English Renaissance, Thomas Morley’s Farewell disdainful is set for three voices (soprano, alto, tenor). The text expresses the singer’s resignation and heartache upon leaving a love that brings only pain. Despite the bitterness of parting, the speaker acknowledges the beloved’s desire for separation, finding a melancholic resolution in their farewell. This secular work captures the emotional complexity of unrequited love with its characteristic word-painting and contrapuntal textures, making it a fitting choice for an intimate chamber setting or a concert program exploring Renaissance vocal music.
