This edition was prepared by Jonathan Goodliffe — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
I charge you, O daughters
Staff Notation • Sacred, Verse anthems
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I charge you, O daughters by Michael Wise — Lyrics
Adjuro vos, filiae Jerusalem, si inveneritis dilectum meum, ut nuntietis ei quia
amore langueo.
Qualis est dilectus tuus ex dilecto, o pulcherrima mulierum?
Qualis est dilectus tuus ex dilecto, quia sic adjurasti nos?
Dilectus meus candidus et rubicundus, electus ex milibus.
Caput eius aurum optimum: comae eius sicut elatae palmarum, nigrae quasi corvus.
Oculi eius sicut columbae super rivulos aquarum, quae lacte sunt lotae, et resident
juxta fluenta plenissima.
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About I charge you, O daughters
Michael Wise was a notable composer of English verse anthems in the late 17th century. This sacred work, I charge you, O daughters, is written for two vocal parts, Soprano and Bass (SB), and Tenor and Bass (TB). The text is drawn from the Song of Solomon, beginning with the bride's impassioned plea to the daughters of Jerusalem, asking them to tell her beloved that she is languishing with love. The ensuing dialogue explores the nature of this beloved, describing him in vivid, elevated terms: his head of gold, his eyes like doves, his lips like lilies, and his overall beauty and desirability. The contrast between the soloistic nature of the verse anthem and the dialogue form of the text is effectively captured in this setting.
