O solitude, my sweetest choice, Z 406 (Henry Purcell)

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• (Posted 2017-07-10)  CPDL #45365:         

Editor: Tony Tebby (submitted 2017-07-10).   Score information: A4, 10 pages, 191 kB   Copyright: CC BY

Edition notes: C minor. Based on 1706 edition IMSLP #192246. Alterations in solo part differ from modern editions. Differences are marked in red. B.C. realization differs from common versions as it largely follows the figures in the 1706 edition. It is a novice attempt and can be ignored.

• (Posted 2013-08-18)  CPDL #29873:       

Editor: Shaun Pirttijarvi (submitted 2013-08-18).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 65 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: For soprano solo in C minor. Please email if you would like a transposition.

General Information

Title: O solitude
Composer: Henry Purcell

Number of voices: 1v   Voicing: Soprano solo
Genre: Secular, Art song

Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo

First published:
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text O solitude, my sweetest choice: Places devoted to the night, Remote from tumult and from noise, How ye my restless thoughts delight! O solitude, my sweetest choice. O heav'ns, what content is mine To see these trees, which have appear'd From the nativity of time, And which all ages have rever'd, To look today as fresh and green As when their beauties first were seen. O, how agreeable a sight These hanging mountains do appear, Which th' unhappy would invite To finish all their sorrows here, When their hard fate makes them endure Such woes as only death can cure.

O, how I solitude adore! That element of noblest wit, Where I have learnt Apollo's lore, Without the pains to study it. For thy sake I in love am grown With what thy fancy does pursue; But when I think upon my own, I hate it for that reason too, Because it needs must hinder me From seeing and from serving thee. O solitude, O how I solitude adore!