This edition was prepared by David Fraser — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Come when I call, or tarrie till I come
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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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.
AATTB · Brian Russell
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Come when I call, or tarrie till I come by John Dowland — Lyrics
Come when I cal, or tarrie til I come,
if you bee deafe I must prove dumb.
Stay a while my heavn’ly joy, I come with wings of love,
when envious eyes time shal remove.
If thy desire ever knew the griefe of delay,
no danger could stand in thy way.
O die not, ad this sorrow to my griefe
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About Come when I call, or tarrie till I come
John Dowland’s striking AATTB setting Come when I call, or tarrie till I come is a compelling secular partsong for five voices. The text expresses a powerful, almost desperate plea for spiritual or romantic comfort, urging the beloved to arrive swiftly, lamenting the pain of absence and the fear of delay. The composer captures the emotional intensity of the lyrics, creating a piece that would serve well in a concert program exploring themes of longing and devotion. The interwoven vocal lines provide rich harmonic textures, making it a rewarding challenge for an accomplished choir seeking to convey deep emotional expression through intricate part-singing.
