This edition was prepared by Mark Chapman — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Fear no more the heat o' the sun
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Fear no more the heat o' the sun by Mark Chapman — Lyrics
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 chimneysweepers, come to dust.
Fear no more the frown o' 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 Fear no more the heat o' the sun
Mark Chapman's SATB setting of Shakespeare's "Fear no more the heat o' the sun" opens with a gentle, flowing texture, the voices weaving together to create a sense of peaceful resignation. The composer captures the melancholic yet accepting tone of the text, which offers comfort in the face of mortality. The words speak of the cessation of worldly labours and the ultimate equality of all people, regardless of status or achievement, in death. Chapman's music eschews overt drama, instead favouring a restrained and reflective approach that perfectly mirrors the text's contemplative mood, making this an affecting secular piece for mixed-voice choirs.
