Phillis the fair (Edgar Bainton)

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• (Posted 2023-09-18)  CPDL #75485:       

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-09-18).   Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 484 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Original published title of the part-song is “Phyllis the fair”. Original spelling in Burns’ poem is “Phillis”. Most part-songs settings of this text use the original poetic spelling, as does this edition.

General Information

Title: Phillis the fair
Tune: Scottish folk

Composer: Edgar Bainton
Lyricist: Robert Burns
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong, Folksong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1912 Novello and Co.
Description: Scottish Folk Melody

Original text and translations

English text

While larks with little wing
Fann’d the pure air,
Viewing the breathing spring,
Forth I did fare:
Gay, the sun’s golden eye
Peep’d o’er the mountains high;
Such thy morn! did I cry,
“Phillis the fair.”

In each bird’s careless song,
Glad, I did share;
While yon wild flowers among
Chance led me there:
Sweet to the opening day,
Rosebuds bent the dewy spray;
“Such thy bloom,” did I say,
“Phillis the fair.”

Down in a shady walk,
Doves cooing were;
I mark’d the cruel hawk,
Caught in a snare:
So kind may Fortune be,
Such make his destiny!
He who would injure thee,
Phillis the fair.