Love's Antiphon

Lloyd Pfautsch (1921-2003)

 

My luve is like a red, red rose,
That’s newly sprung in June;
My luve is like a melodie
That’s sweetly played in tune
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry.
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And rocks melt wi’ the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel a while!
And I will come again my luve,
Though it were ten thousand mile. My true love hath my heart and I have his,
By just exchange one for another giv’n.
I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss,
There never was a better bargain driv’n.
His heart in me keeps him and me in one,
My heart in him his thoughts and senses guides:
He loves my heart, for now it is his own,
I cherish his because in me it bides.

Text: Robert Burns and Sir Philip Sydney

 

This piece was performed on Octarium's A Cappella Masterpieces Concert, April 2005.