This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Come Gentle Swains
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.
SSATB · Brian Russell
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Come Gentle Swains by Michael Cavendish — Lyrics
Come, gentle swains, and shepherds' dainty daughters,
Adorn'd with courtesy and comely duties,
Come sing and joy and grace with lovely laughters,
The birthday of the beautiest of beauties.
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About Come Gentle Swains
Michael Cavendish’s Come Gentle Swains is a delightful example of English secular part-music from the late Renaissance, written for SSATB voices. The music immediately evokes a pastoral scene, with imitative entries and a light, flowing texture that mirrors the celebratory mood of the text. The composer captures the joy of the shepherd and nymph characters as they gather to praise the 'beautiest of beauties' on a special birthday. The piece culminates in a jubilant acclamation, honouring 'fair Oriana', a recurring figure in this celebrated collection of madrigals.
