Lament for Pelham Humfrey - Gregory, William

📄

Preview not generated yet

Open PDF ↗

PDF ↗ MIDI ↗ MXL ↗

Download PDF on CPDL ↗ Download MIDI on CPDL ↗

Loading player...

"A solo song with 2 voice chorus in memory of Pelham Humfrey, the Restoration composer"

◈ Genre / Form → Laments ♬ Voicing → SB ¶ Language → English

Parts 2

Instruments Basso continuo

Pages 2

CPDL # 88629

Editor Jonathan Goodliffe

Posted 2026-03-12

License CPDL License

¶Lyrics / Text

Did you not hear the hideous groan, The sighs and heavy moan That spread themselves o'er all the pensive plain And rent the breast of many a tender swain? 'Twas for Amintas, dead and gone. Sing ye forsaken shepherds, sing his praise, In careless melancholy lays: Lend him a little doleful breath, Poor Amintas, cruel death. 'Twas thou that mad'st dead words to live, Thou that dull numbers didst inspire With charming voice and tuneful lyre: That life to all but to thyself could'st give, Why could'st thou not thy wond'rous art bequeath? Sing pious shepherds, sing whilst you may, Before the approaches of the fatal day. For you yourselves that sing this mournful song, Alas ere it be long, Shall like Amintas breathless be, The more forgotten in the grave than he.