The Poor Soul Sat Sighing

 

John Christmas Beckwith (1750-1809)

Text: Shakespeare Othello Act IV scene iii

The poor soul sat sighing near a sycamore tree
Sing O the green willow,
Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,
Sing O the green willow, the green willow tree.
The cold streams ran by her, her eyes wept apace,
The salt tears fell from her and drowned her face.
Farewell youth, false-hearted plaints end with my breath
Sing O the green willow.

(text modified by Beckwith)

 

 

This piece was performed on Octarium’s The Shakespeare Concert, May 2004.