A Tragedy

Henry Walford Davies, a prolific composer of both sacred and secular music, offers this charming SATB setting of a familiar nursery rhyme. A Tragedy, as the title playfully suggests, uses the simple text to evoke a moment of quiet solitude after a brief, perhaps dramatic, departure. The composer’s skill is evident in how he brings this miniature narrative to life through vocal interplay, culminating in the quiet loneliness of the final line. This is a delightful and engaging choice for mixed choirs looking for a lighthearted yet musically satisfying concert item. The English text is presented with wit and clarity.