Lulla, lullaby, my sweet little baby (William Byrd)
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- CPDL #13100: NoteWorthy Composer
- Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2006-11-17). Score information: A4, 8 pages, 66 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Original key.
- Editor: John D. Smith (submitted 2004-02-25). Score information: A4, 6 pages Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes: Transposed down a whole step from the original and voiced as SAATB. Scores listed alphabetically by composer. All scores available in Scorch format, some are also available as PDF files.
- CPDL #04339: Sibelius 4
- Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2002-12-09). Score information: A4, 7 pages, 131 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Original key of published version (D minor/dorian). Revised March 2008.
General Information
Title: Lullaby my sweet little baby (although actual title in all editions of the printed source is Lulla, lullaby).
Composer: William Byrd
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SAATB
Genre: Sacred, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
Published: Psalmes, sonets, & songs (1588), no.32
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
- 1.
- My sweet little Baby, what meanest Thou to cry?
- Be still, my blessed Babe, though cause Thou hast to mourn,
- Whose blood most innocent to shed the cruel king has sworn;
- And lo, alas! behold what slaughter he doth make,
- Shedding the blood of infants all, sweet Saviour, for Thy sake.
- A King, a King is born, they say, which King this king would kill.
- Refrain:
- O woe and woeful heavy day when wretches have their will!
- Lulla, la-lulla, lulla, lullaby.
- 2.
- Three kings this King of kings to see are come from far,
- To each unknown, with offerings great, by guilding of a star;
- And shepherds heard the song which angels bright did sing.
- Giving all glory unto God for coming of this King,
- Which must be made away — King Herod would Him kill.
- Refrain.
- 3.
- Lo, lo, my little Babe, be still, lament no more:
- From fury Thou shalt step aside, help have we still instore;
- We heavenly warning have some other soil to seek;
- From death must fly the Lord of life, as lamb both mild and meek;
- Thus must my Babe obey the king that would Him kill.
- Refrain..
- 4.
- But thou shalt live and reign, as sibyls hath foresaid,
- As all the prophets prophesy, whose mother, yet a maid
- And perfect virgin pure, with her breasts shall upbread
- Both God and man that all hath made, the Son of heavenly seed,
- Whom caitiffs none can 'tray, whom tyrants none can kill.
- Refrain.