Ich bit dich meydlein

This anonymous German secular partsong from the Renaissance is set for SATB choir. The text expresses a passionate, almost desperate plea from a lover. He begs his maiden to favour him, offering silver and gold, and declaring his undying love, wishing her to be his alone. However, this is followed by a sudden, emphatic rejection of her, calling her an old crone whose ways displease him. He then immediately recants, pleading with her not to forget him and again offering riches, imploring her to be kind. This dramatic shift from fervent adoration to harsh rejection, only to return to pleading, makes for a captivating and challenging musical setting.