This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Friendship
Staff Notation • Sacred
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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 · Barry Johnston
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Friendship by George Fredrick Handel — Lyrics
American Musical Miscellany, 1798
1. Friendship to every willing mind
Opens a heavenly treasure,
There may the sons of sorrow find
Sources of real pleasure:
See what employments men pursue,
Then you will own my words are true,
Friendship alone unfolds to view
Sources of real pleasure.
2. Poor are the joys that fools esteem,
Fading and transitory;
Mirth is as fleeting as a dream.
Or a delusive story:
Luxury leaves a sting behind
Wounding the body and the mind,
Only in friendship can we find
Pleasure and solid glory.
3. Learning, that boasting, glittering thing.
Scarcely is worth possessing;
Riches, forever on the wing,
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About Friendship
Handel's SATB anthem Friendship offers a thoughtful reflection on the enduring value of companionship. Set to an English text that contrasts the fleeting pleasures of worldly pursuits with the deep, lasting satisfaction found in true friendship, this work champions its central theme. The composer's skill in setting words to music is evident as the text explores how friendship provides solace, genuine happiness, and true glory, transcending the superficial allure of wealth, fame, or learning. It's a piece that would resonate well in a concert setting, offering a message of profound human connection and contentment, suitable for a choir seeking music with both substance and a positive, uplifting message.
