This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
If thou art sleeping, Maiden
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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If thou art sleeping, Maiden by Henry Ernest Nichol — Lyrics
If thou art sleeping, maiden,
Awake, and open thy door.
’T is the break of day, and we must away,
O’er meadow, and mount, and moor.
Wait not to find thy slippers,
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About If thou art sleeping, Maiden
Henry Ernest Nichol's If thou art sleeping, Maiden is a partsong for SATB choir, setting a beautiful English text of secular character. The lyrics, translated from Gil Vicente, evoke a sense of urgency and anticipation as the singer urges a maiden to awaken and join them for a journey at break of day. The imagery of passing through dewy grass and swift waters suggests an invigorating and perhaps romantic adventure. Nichol's setting likely captures the pastoral and slightly mysterious mood of the poem, making it a charming addition to a choir's repertoire seeking pieces that blend poetic sentiment with engaging vocal writing.
