The Willow Song

General information

Lyricist: William Shakespeare Written as Desdemona's song in Othello, possibly using a pre-existing model.

Settings by composers

• Anonymous Solo high
• William Armiger SATB
• John Christmas Beckwith SATB
• Edward Smith Biggs SATB
• John Clarke-Whitfeld SATB
• James Hook Solo high
• Pelham Humfrey Solo high
• Charles Hubert Hastings Parry Solo high
• Ralph Vaughan Williams SATB

Text and translations

English text A poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, O willow, willow, o willow; With his hand on his bosom, his head on his knee, Sing willow, willow, o willow. Sing o the green willow, sing o the green willow, The willow shall be a garland for me, Sing o the green willow. He sighed in his singing, and after each groan, O willow, willow, o willow; I am dead to each pleasure, my true love is gone, Sing willow, willow, o willow. Sing o the green willow, sing o the green willow, The willow shall be a garland for me, Sing o the green willow. Let nobody blame me, her scorn I thus prove, O willow, willow, o willow; She was born to be fair, I to die for her love, Sing willow, willow, o willow. Sing o the green willow, sing o the green willow, The willow shall be a garland for me, Sing o the green willow. The text here is that of James Hook's version, being the most complete, and the best strophic model (designed for theatrical use). There are no two entirely consistent versions: see individual work pages for divergences. External links