SP3022
Fairy song
Music: Sheena Phillips, Words: William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)
Voicing: SATB
Performance time approx: 1m 30s
Price code: B
Complexity:
This is a depiction of fairy song. The background humming and chorus should be as delicate and mysterious as you can make them, but the solo should have more the quality of a charm – a shade more sinister, perhaps slightly harsh or staccato.
Companion Shakespeare songs published by Canasg include ‘The sweet of the year’ (from The Winter’s Tale) and ‘Full fathom five’ (from The Tempest).
You spotted snakes with double tongue,
Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen;
Newts and blindworms, do no wrong;
Come not near our Fairy Queen.
Philomel with melody,
Sing in our sweet lullaby;
Lulla, lulla, lullaby; ulla, lulla, lullaby.
Never harm nor spell nor charm
Come our lovely lady nigh.
So good night, with lullaby.
Weaving spiders come not here;
Hence, you long-legged spinners, hence;
Beetles black, approach not near;
Worm nor snail do no offence.
Philomel with melody, etc
William Shakespeare
from A midsummer Night's Dream. The song is sung by the First Fairy and a chorus of fairies in Act 2, Scene 2, to lull the fairy queen Titania to sleep and protect her.