Tell me, roses (Joseph Barnby)

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(Posted 2023-09-19) CPDL #75522:

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-09-19). Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 546 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Tell me, roses
Composer: Joseph Barnby
Lyricist: Anonymous lyricist
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1884 W. F. Sudds
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

Tell me, roses, ere ye die,
   While on Delia’s breast ye lay,
Since ye were allowed so nigh,
   Prithee, cherished roses say,
Did you hear a single sigh?
   That might chase my doubt away;
Tell me, roses, can it be,
   That she heaved a sigh for me?

Yet again, sweet roses, tell,
   While on Delia’s breast ye lay,
Since that ye did fare so well,
   Prithee, favoured roses, say,
If by chance a teardrop fell,
   After I had gone away;
Tell me, roses, can it be,
   That she shed a tear for me?

Tell me, roses, yet once more,
   In her chambers all the night,
Since ye were allowed to pour
   Fragrance out for her delight,
Did she slumber as of yore,
   Ere I met her heavenly sight?
Or, sweet roses, can it be,
  That she waked to think of me?