A Litany in Time of Plague

Adieu, farewell earth's blisse,
This world uncertain is,
Fond are lifes lustfull joyes,
Death proves them all but toyes.
None from his darts can flye,
I am sick I must die--
      Lord have mercy on us.

Rich men, trust not in wealth,
Gold cannot buy you health;
Physic himself must fade.
All things to end are made.
The plague full swift goes by;
I am sick, I must die--
      Lord have mercy on us.

Beauty is but a flower,
Which wrinkles will devour,
Brightness falls from the air,
Queens have died young and fair,
Dust hath closed Helen's eye.
I am sick, I must die--
      Lord have mercy on us.

Strength stoopes unto the grave,
Worms feed on Hector brave
Swords [cannot]1 fight with fate
Earth still holds ope her gate;
Come, come! the bells do cry;
I am sick, I must die--
      Lord have mercy on us.

[Wit with his wantonness
Tasteth death's bitterness
Hell's executioner
Hath no ears for to hear
What vain art can reply;
I am sick, I must die--
      Lord have mercy on us.]2

Haste therefore each degree,
To welcome destiny:
Heav'n is our heritage,
Earth but a player's stage,
Mount we unto the sky.
I am sick, I must die--
      Lord have mercy on us.

by Thomas Nashe (1567-1601) , "A Litany in Time of Plague", published 1593

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by Richard Rodney Bennett (1936-) , "Adieu, farewell earth's blisse", from Tenebrae, no. 1.
by Constant Lambert (1905-1951) , "Movement VI. Saraband", from Summer's Last Will and Testament, no. 4.
by David Rowland (1939-) , "Adieu, farewell earth's bliss", 1981, stanza 1, from Nashe Songs, no. 2.
by David Rowland (1939-) , "Strength stoops unto the grave", 1981, stanza 4, from Nashe Songs, no. 4.

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

Gentle Reminder

This project is not funded. If you found the information here useful, please consider making a donation. Your gift is greatly appreciated!      - Emily I also have a wishlist at Amazon.ca.

Search/Shop for

Sheet music:

  Search sheetmusicplus.com for Adieu, farewell earth's bliss, Adieu, farewell earth's blisse, Strength stoops unto the grave, Movement VI. Saraband, Art song , Lieder, chansons, or works for solo voice
  Search musicroom.com for Adieu, farewell earth's bliss, Adieu, farewell earth's blisse, Strength stoops unto the grave, Movement VI. Saraband, vocal/choral music

CDs:

  Search amazon.com for Adieu, farewell earth's bliss, Adieu, farewell earth's blisse, Strength stoops unto the grave, Movement VI. Saraband, art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for Adieu, farewell earth's bliss, Adieu, farewell earth's blisse, Strength stoops unto the grave, Movement VI. Saraband, art song, Lieder, or chansons

Books:

  The Art of the Song Recital [amazon.com]
  The Book of Lieder: The Original Texts of Over 1000 Songs [amazon.com]
  Search amazon.com for art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for art song, lieder, or chansons

Classical Vocal Repertoire