An earthly tree a heavenly fruit - Cast off all doubtful care - Byrd, William

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"A carol for Christmas day in two parts. :Prima pars: ''An earthly tree an heavenly fruit'' (AA duet with viol consort) :Seconda pars: ''Cast off all doubtful care'' (Chorus)"

⌛ Period → Renaissance ◈ Genre → Sacred songs

♯ Key G major

⁄ Time Signature 4/4

♬ Voicing → SATB|SATB and AA soli

↕ Range F2 – D5

¶ Language → English

Measures 59

Texture mixed texture

Parts 9

Instruments SA duet with viol consort, and ''a cappella'' chorus

Pages 7

CPDL # 5415

Editor David Fraser

Posted 2003-08-09

License CPDL License

♫Pitch Ranges

Alto

B3 – D5

Contratenor [Alto]

B3 – D5

Treble Viol

G3 – G4

Tenor Viol

C3 – E4

Bass Viol

F2 – G3

Tenor [Tenor]

C3 – A4

Bassus [Bass]

C3 – D4

¶Lyrics / Text

1. An earthly tree a heavenly fruit it bear, A case of clay contained a crown immortal A crown of crowns, a King whose cost and care Redeemed poor man, whose race before was thrall To death, to doom, to pains of everlasting, By His sweet death, scorns, stripes, and often fasting. Cast of all doubtful care, exile and banish tears, To joyful news divine, lend us your list’ning ears. 2. A star above the stars, a sun of light, Whose blessed beams this wretched earth bespread With hope of heaven and of God's Son the sight, Which in our flesh and sinful soul lay dead. O faith, O hope, O joys renowned for ever, O lively life that deathless shall persever. 3. Then let us sing the lullabys of sleep To this sweet babe, born to awake us all From drowsy sin that made old Adam weep, And by his fault gave to mankind the fall. For lo! this day, the birth day, day of days, Summons our songs to give Him laud and praise.