In a vale closed with woodland (William Jackson of Exeter)

From ChoralWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Music files

L E G E N D Disclaimer How to download
ICON SOURCE
Network.png Web Page
File details.gif File details
Question.gif Help
  • (Posted 2022-04-14)  CPDL #68854:  Network.png
Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2022-04-14).   Score information: A4, 8 pages, 631 kB   Copyright: CC BY SA
Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.

General Information

Title: In a vale closed with woodland
Composer: William Jackson of Exeter
Lyricist: William Shenstone
Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: ATB
Genre: SecularGlee

Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo

First published: 1762 Op. 3
Description: In his frontispiece, Jackson specified performance in the following terms: "I would just observe, that the following pieces will lose their effect, when the parts are doubled. The manner of performance that I would recommend, is by three voices singing moderately soft, and accompanied with any bass instrument that may have the effect of an accompaniment only; for nothing hurts a piece so much, as making a part principal, or even equal with others, when it was intended to be subservient. The equality of strength among the voices should also be observed; if one voice of the three be strong, and the others weak, it is necessary to soften it down, that the balance may not be destroyed; for it should always be remembered, that as no principal part was intended, there must be none produced".

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

In a vale clos'd with woodland, where grottos abound,
And rivulets murmur, and echoes resound,
I vow'd to the Muses my time and my care;
Since neither could win me the smiles of my fair.

As freedom inspir'd me, I rang'd and I sung;
And Daphne's dear name never fell from my tongue.
But if a smooth accent delighted my ear,
I should wish, unawares, that my Daphne might hear.

With fairest ideas my bosom I stor'd,
To drive from my heart the fair nymph I ador'd;
But the more I with study my fancy refin'd,
The deeper impression she made on my mind.

Ah! whilst I the beauties of nature pursue,
I still must my Daphne's fair image renew:
The Graces have chosen with Daphne to rove,
And the Muses are all in alliance with Love.