Ah, welladay (Maurice Greene)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	Web Page
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2022-04-14)  CPDL #68849: 

Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2022-04-14).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 156 kB   Copyright: CC BY SA

Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.

General Information

Title: Ah, welladay
Composer: Maurice Greene
Lyricist: Anonymous
Number of voices: 1v   Voicing: solo high
Genre: Secular, Art song

Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo

First published: 1762 Clio and Euterpe, or, British Harmony
Description: Probably performed at the London pleasure gardens.

Original text and translations

English text

The blithest bird that sings in May
Was ne'er more blithe, was ne'er more gay
Than I, ah welladay.
E'er Colin yet had learned to sigh,
Or I to guess the reason why;
Oh Love! ah welladay.

We kiss'd, we toy'd, but neither knew
From whence these fond endearments grew,
Till he, ah, welladay,
By time and other swains made wise,
Began to talk of hearts and eyes,
And love. Ah welladay.

Kind nature now took Colin's part,
My eyes inform'd against my heart.
My heart, ah welladay,
Straight glow'd with thrilling sympathy,
And echoed back each gentle sigh,
Each sigh; ah welladay.

Can love, alas, by words be shewn?
He ask'd a proof, a tender one;
While I, ah welladay,
In silence blush'd a fond reply:
Can she that truly loves deny?
Ah no, ah welladay.