I prithee send me back my heart

This setting of a text by Sir John Suckling opens with a direct and appealing melody, soon taken up by the different voices in turn. The composer crafts a flowing texture that captures the poem's witty, yet plaintive, exploration of love and possession. The SATB voices are employed with skill, creating moments of rich harmony and clear, expressive lines. The piece moves through a range of emotions, from questioning and doubt to a final, resolute declaration of affection. It is a fine example of an English secular part-song, offering a rewarding challenge for a mixed-voice choir.