I think that, if the hills

This secular madrigal by Alfonso Ferrabosco I is a poignant exploration of unrequited love. Sung by SATTB voices in English, the text expresses the singer's deep distress, wishing that even the natural world – the hills, plains, mountains, woods, and waters – could understand and reveal the 'great distemper' of his life. He laments his inability to find true love, a sentiment that resonates powerfully through the intricate polyphony characteristic of the genre. The composer’s skill in setting this introspective text, weaving a complex musical narrative from the expressive Italianate words, makes it a compelling choice for an accomplished choir.