Fields were overspread with flowers (Philip Hayes)
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- (Posted 2022-03-06) CPDL #68275:
- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2022-03-06). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 287 kB Copyright: CC BY SA
- Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.
General Information
Title: Fields were overspread with flowers
Composer: Philip Hayes
Lyricist: From "England's Helicon"create page
Number of voices: 3vv Voicing: ATB
Genre: Secular, Glee
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1786 The Muses' Fancy
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Fields were overspread with flowers,
Fairest choice of Flora's treasure;
Shepherds there had shady bowers,
Where they oft repos'd with pleasure;
Meadows flourished fresh and gay,
Where the wanton herds did play.
Springs more clear than crystal streams
Seated were the groves among;
Thus nor Titan's scorching beams,
Nor the earth's drought could shepherds wrong;
Fair Pomona's fruitful pride
Did the budding branches hide.
Flocks of sheep fed on the plains,
Harmless sheep that roamed at large;
Here and there sat pensive swains,
Waiting on their wandering charge;
Pensive while their lasses smiled,
Lasses which had them beguil'd.
Hills with trees were richly dight,
Valleys stored with Vesta's wealth;
Both did harbour sweet delight,
Nought was there to hinder wealth;
Thus did heaven grace the soil,
Not deform'd with workman's toil.
Purest plot of earthly mould
Might that land be justly named;
Art by nature was controlled,
Art which no such pleasure framed;
Fairer place was never seen,
Fittest place for beauty's queen.