While fools their time (John Stafford Smith)
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Music files
- Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2021-09-15). Score information: A4, 7 pages, 168 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: with accompaniment by Vincent Novello.
- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2021-09-13). Score information: A4, 7 pages, 312 kB Copyright: CC BY SA
- Edition notes: Includes a keyboard reduction of the a cappella choral score. Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. Edition prepared from a primary source
General Information
Title: While fools their time
Composer: John Stafford Smith
Lyricist: Alexander Pope
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: ATTB
Genre: Secular, Glee
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: c.1776 Warren's fifteenth collection
2nd published: 1851 Novello's Glee Hive no.23
Description: This glee gained a Catch Club prize medal in 1776.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
While fools their time in stormy strife employ,
Be ours engag'd in union, peace and joy.
Thus the blest gods the genial day prolong
In feasts ambrosial and celestial song.
Apollo tunes the lyre; the muses round
With voice alternate aid the silver sound.
Wisely, we imitate the pow'rs divine;
Peace at our heart, and pleasure our design.