This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Change me, O heavens
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Brian Russell
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Change me, O heavens by John Wilbye — Lyrics
Change me, O heav'ns, into the ruby stone,
That on my love's fair locks doth hang in gold:
Yet leave me speech, to her to make my moan;
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About Change me, O heavens
John Wilbye was a leading composer of English madrigals in the late Renaissance. This secular part-song for SATB voices sets a plaintive English text. The poet expresses a desperate desire to be transformed into a jewel worn by his beloved, or at least to retain his voice to plead his case and his sight to admire her. He also pleads that her 'hard heart' might be softened, echoing the transformation he wishes upon himself. Wilbye's setting captures the emotional intensity of the words with the intricate vocal interplay characteristic of the madrigal genre.
