This edition was prepared by Andrew Sims — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
In Going to My Naked Bed
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Jonathan Goodliffe
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In Going to My Naked Bed by Richard Edwards — Lyrics
1. In going to my naked bed, as one that would have slept,
I heard a wife sing to her child that long before had wept.
She sighed sore and sang full sweet to bring the babe to rest,
that would not cease but cried still in sucking at her breast.
She was full weary of her watch, and grieved with her child,
she rocked it and rated it till that on her it smiled:
then did she say now have I found this proverb true to prove,
the falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love.
2. Then took I paper, pen and ink, this proverb for to write,
In register for to remain of such a worthy wight.
As she proceded thus in song unto her little brat,
much matter uttered she of weight,
in place whereas she sat,
and proved plain there was no beast,
nor creature bearing life,
could well be known to live in love without discord or strife:
then kissed she her little babe, and swore by God above,
the falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love.
3. She said that neither king ne prince, ne lord could live aright,
until their puissance they did prove, their manhood and their might.
When manhood shall be matched so that fear can take no place,
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About In Going to My Naked Bed
Richard Edwards's In Going to My Naked Bed opens with a gentle, imitative texture in the SATB voices, sketching a contemplative atmosphere. The music soon blossoms into fuller chords as the text unfolds, depicting a mother singing to her restless child. The composer captures the tenderness and weariness of the scene, illustrating the lullaby's progression from gentle persuasion to the child's eventual smile. The madrigal setting then reflects on the proverb that "the falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love," offering a brief, poignant moment of domestic observation. This secular English work showcases expressive word-painting and a sensitive understanding of vocal interplay.
