Blythe is the bird (John Liptrot Hatton)

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• (Posted 2023-10-25)  CPDL #76630:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-10-25).   Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 278 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

• (Posted 2019-08-25)  CPDL #55166:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2019-08-25).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 83 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed up a semitone to F major.

• (Posted 2019-08-25)  CPDL #55165:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2019-08-25).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 84 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: In original key.

General Information

Title: Blythe is the bird
Composer: John Liptrot Hatton
Lyricist: Anonymous

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: Keyboard

Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1873 in Novello's Part-Song Book (2nd series), Vol. 6, no. 187
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

Blythe is the bird who wings the plain,
Nor sows, nor reaps, a single grain;
Whose only labour is to sing,
Through Autumn, Summer, Winter, Spring.
At night his little meal he finds,
Nor heeds what fare may next betide;
The change of seasons nought he minds,
But for his wants lets Heaven provide.
Oft on the branch he perches gay,
Oft on his painted wings looks he:
And penniless renews his lay,
Rejoicing in unbounded glee.