You black bright stars (Thomas Morley)

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  • (Posted 2023-11-28)  CPDL #77668:     
Editor: Shawn Neisen (submitted 2023-11-28).   Score information: Letter, 5 pages, 365 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: This edition is revoiced for SSATB, and in the key of A to make ranges accessible.
  • (Posted 2011-12-15)  CPDL #25155:         
Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2011-12-15).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 30 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Based on #15041, but parts rearranged for SATTB. Bars 31-34 transferred from S to A.
  • (Posted 2007-09-11)  CPDL #15041:         
Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2007-09-11).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 34 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: NoteWorthy Composer file may be viewed and printed with NoteWorthy Composer Viewer.
Error.gif Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.

General Information

Title: You bright black stars
Composer: Thomas Morley

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicings: SSATB or SATTB, or solo voice with lute
Genre: SecularMadrigalLute song

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella, or with lute

First published: 1597 in Canzonets or Litle Short Aers to Five and Six Voices, no. 16
Description: The intabulated accompaniment puts the altus voice in the top register. This seems a source of confusion in editions 15041 & 25155 above.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

You black bright stars, that shine while daylight lasteth,
Ah, why haste you away when night time hasteth?
In darker nights the stars seem still the lighter,
On me shine then a night with your heams brighter.
Beams that are cause my heart hath so aspired,
Fire mounts aloft and they my heart have fired.