This edition was prepared by Jennifer Bastable — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
If this be love
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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If this be love by Jennifer Bastable — Lyrics
If this be love, to draw a weary breath,
Paint on floods, till the shore, cry to th'air,
With downward looks still reading on the earth,
The sad memorials of my love's despair.
If this be love, to war against my soul,
Lie down to wail, rise up to sigh and grieve me,
The neverresting stone of care to roll,
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About If this be love
Jennifer Bastable’s SSATB setting of If This Be Love is a powerful exploration of unrequited or painful love, perfect for a concert program. The text, a poignant sonnet, describes the torment and despair of a lover who questions whether this suffering is indeed love. The composer’s music captures the depth of emotion in the words, from the weary sighs to the internal conflict and overwhelming sadness. The rich textures of the SSATB voicing allow for a full expression of the text’s dramatic arc, making it a compelling choice for a choir seeking to convey profound emotional states through song. This secular piece demands sensitive interpretation and offers a rewarding challenge.
