It was a time when silly bees could speake (John Dowland): Difference between revisions

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*{{CPDLno|24113}} [{{filepath:It_was_a_time_when_silly_bees_c.pdf}} {{pdf}}] [{{filepath:It_was_a_time_when_silly_bees_could_speak.mid}} {{mid}}] [{{filepath:It_was_a_time_when_silly_bees_could_speak.cap}} {{Cap}}]  
*{{CPDLno|24113}} [[Media:It_was_a_time_when_silly_bees_c.pdf|{{pdf}}]] [[Media:It_was_a_time_when_silly_bees_could_speak.mid|{{mid}}]] [[Media:It_was_a_time_when_silly_bees_could_speak.cap|{{Cap}}]]  
{{Editor|James Gibb|2011-08-07}}{{ScoreInfo|A4|3|35}}{{Copy|CPDL}}
{{Editor|James Gibb|2011-08-07}}{{ScoreInfo|A4|3|35}}{{Copy|CPDL}}
:'''Edition notes:''' {{KbdRed}}
:'''Edition notes:''' {{KbdRed}}


*{{CPDLno|23427}} [{{filepath:Dowland_-_Silly_Bees.pdf}} {{pdf}}] [{{filepath:Dowland_-_Silly_Bees.mid}} {{mid}}] [{{filepath:J._Dowland_-_Silly_Bees.sib}} {{sib}}] (Sibelius 5)  
*{{CPDLno|23427}} [[Media:Dowland_-_Silly_Bees.pdf|{{pdf}}]] [[Media:Dowland_-_Silly_Bees.mid|{{mid}}]] [[Media:J._Dowland_-_Silly_Bees.sib|{{sib}}]] (Sibelius 5)  
{{Editor|Walker Boyle|2011-04-24}}{{ScoreInfo|Letter|3|74}}{{Copy|Public Domain}}
{{Editor|Walker Boyle|2011-04-24}}{{ScoreInfo|Letter|3|74}}{{Copy|Public Domain}}
:'''Edition notes:'''
:'''Edition notes:'''


*{{CPDLno|16847}} [{{filepath:657.pdf}} {{pdf}}] [{{website|brianrussell}}657.mid {{mid}}] [{{website|brianrussell}}657.nwc {{NWC}}] (NoteWorthy Composer)
*{{CPDLno|16847}} [[Media:657.pdf|{{pdf}}]] [{{website|brianrussell}}657.mid {{mid}}] [{{website|brianrussell}}657.nwc {{NWC}}] (NoteWorthy Composer)
{{Editor|Brian Russell|2008-05-07}}{{ScoreInfo|A4|27|}}{{Copy|CPDL}}
{{Editor|Brian Russell|2008-05-07}}{{ScoreInfo|A4|27|}}{{Copy|CPDL}}
:'''Edition notes:''' {{NWCV}} {{ScoreError}}
:'''Edition notes:''' {{NWCV}} {{ScoreError}}

Revision as of 00:39, 18 August 2016

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Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2011-08-07).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 35 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Includes a keyboard reduction of the a cappella choral score.
  • CPDL #23427:      (Sibelius 5)
Editor: Walker Boyle (submitted 2011-04-24).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 74 kB   Copyright: Public Domain
Edition notes:
  • CPDL #16847:    Icon_snd.gif Nwc.png (NoteWorthy Composer)
Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2008-05-07).   Score information: A4, 27 pages   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: It was a time when silly Bees could speake
Composer: John Dowland
Lyricist: Robert Devereux , 2nd Earl of Essex

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: SecularMadrigal

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

Published: 1603

Description: No. XVIII from The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires (1603)

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

It was a time when silly bees could speak,
And in that time I was a silly bee,
Who fed on time until my heart 'gan break,
Yet never found the time would favour me.
Of all the swarm I only did not thrive,
Yet brought I wax and honey to the hive.

Then thus I buzzed when time no sap would give:
Why should this blessed time to me be dry,
Sith by this time the lazy drone doth live,
The wasp, the worm, the gnat, the butterfly?
Mated with grief I kneeled on my knees,
And thus complained unto the king of bees:

My liege, gods grant thy time may never end,
And yet vouchsafe to hear my plaint of time,
Which fruitless flies have found to have a friend,
And I cast down when atomies do climb.
The king replied but thus: Peace, peevish bee,
Thou'rt bound to serve the time, the time not thee.