This edition was prepared by Lewis Jones — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Bacchus is a pow'r divine
Staff Notation • Secular, Art songs
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Bacchus is a pow'r divine by Henry Purcell — Lyrics
Bacchus is a pow'r divine,
For he no sooner fills my head
With mighty wine,
But all my cares resign,
And droop, then sink down dead.
Then the pleasing thoughts begin,
And I in riches flow,
At least I fancy so.
And without thought of want I sign,
Stretch'd on the earth, my head all around
With flowers weav'd into a garland crown'd.
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About Bacchus is a pow'r divine
Henry Purcell's Bacchus is a pow'r divine is a solo bass song set in English, belonging to the secular art song genre. The music opens with a strong, declamatory statement that immediately captures the boisterous spirit of the text. The composer vividly portrays the drinker's escape from worldly cares, with the vocal line mirroring the heady intoxication described. As the text progresses from dismissing anxieties to embracing fanciful riches and scorn for worldly ambitions, the music offers a rich, dramatic setting. Purcell contrasts the quiet contentment of the drinker with the 'fighting fool' seeking war, urging a preference for peace and wine. The piece is a spirited exploration of hedonistic pleasure.
