This edition was prepared by Jacob Lessing — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
In guilty night
Staff Notation • Sacred, Sacred songs
Preview
0
0
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
In guilty night by Henry Purcell — Lyrics
Chorus:
In guilty night, and hid in false disguise,
Forsaken Saul to Endor comes and cries :
Saul:
Woman, arise, call powerful arts together,
And raise the ghost, whom I shall name, up hither.
Witch:
Why should’st thou wish me die? Forbear my son,
Dost thou not know what cruel Saul has done?
How he has killed, has killed and murdered all
That were wise and could on spirits call?
Saul:
Woman, be bold, do but the thing I wish,
No harm from Saul shall come to thee for this.
Witch:
Whom shall I raise or call? I’ll make him hear.
Saul:
Old Samuel, let only him appear!
Witch:
Alas!
Saul:
What, what dost thou fear?
Witch:
Nought else but thee,
Read full lyrics
About In guilty night
Henry Purcell's In guilty night is a solo sacred song for countertenor, tenor, bass and alto voices. The text is drawn from the Old Testament story of Saul's visit to the witch of Endor. It captures the drama of Saul's desperate attempt to summon the prophet Samuel, and the witch's fear of the king. The music reflects the text's intensity, with striking harmonic shifts and dramatic vocal writing that conveys the fear and foreboding of the scene. Purcell's mastery of word painting is evident, heightening the emotional impact of this compelling narrative for the soloists.
