This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
A king there was in Thule
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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A king there was in Thule by Robert Lucas Pearsall — Lyrics
Es war ein König in Thule,
gar treu bis an das Grab,
dem sterbend seine Buhle
einen gold'nen Becher gab.
Es ging ihm nichts darüber,
er leert' ihn jeden Schmaus,
die Augen gingen ihm über,
sooft er trank daraus.
Und als er kam zu sterben,
zählt er sein' Städt' im Reich,
ließ alles seinen Erben,
den Becher nicht zugleich.
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About A king there was in Thule
Robert Lucas Pearsall's A king there was in Thule sets a poignant German ballad, often sung in English translation. The text tells the story of a loyal king who receives a golden goblet from his dying love. He treasures it above all else, drinking from it at every feast until his own deathbed. In his final moments, surrounded by his knights, he throws the goblet into the sea, a final act of remembrance and perhaps a symbolic gesture of letting go. Pearsall's SATB setting captures the narrative, bringing this tale of devotion and finality to life through rich part-singing. The piece is a secular German/English part-song, masterfully crafted for four-part choir.
