Let the night perish, Z 191 - Purcell, Henry

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"Titled "Job's Curse." Although Purcell adds a bass voice in the chorus, this song can also be performed with solo voice and continuo only."

⌛ Period → Baroque ◈ Genre / Form → Sacred songs

♯ Key C minor

⁄ Time Signature 4/4

♬ Voicing → Solo high|add=with chorus (ad lib.) {{Cat|TB

◆ Difficulty

Advanced

↕ Range C2 – G5

¶ Language → English

Measures 79

Texture mixed texture

Parts 3

Instruments Basso continuo

Pages 4

CPDL # 54264

Editor Raymond Nagem

Posted 2019-05-18

License Personal

♫Pitch Ranges

Soprano

C4 – G5

Bass

F2 – C4

C2 – C4

¶Lyrics / Text

Let the Night perish; cursed be the Morn, Wherein 'twas said, "There is a Man-child born!" Let not the Lord regard that day, but shroud Its fatal Glory in some sullen Cloud: May the dark Shades of an Eternal Night Exclude the least kind Beam of dawning Light; Let unborn Babes, as in the Womb they lie, If it be mention'd, give a Groan and die: No sounds of Joy therein shall charm the Ear; No sun, no Moon, no twilight Stars appear; But a thick Veil of gloomy Darkness wear. Why did I not, when first my Mother's Womb Discharg'd me thence, drop down into my Tomb? Then had I been at quiet, and mine Eyes Had slept, and seen no Sorrow; there the Wise And Subtle Counsellor, the Potentate, Who for themselves built Palaces of State, Lie hush'd in Silence; there's no Midnight cry, Caus'd by Oppression, and the Tyranny Of wicked Rulers. Here the Weary cease From Labour, here the Prisoner sleeps in Peace; The Rich, the Poor, the Monarch, and the Slave, Rest undisturb'd, and no distinction have, Within the silent Chambers of the Grave.