Campion – Never weather-beaten sail (1613)

First published in 1613 in The First Book of Ayres, which was a collection of 21 ‘Divine and Morall Songs’. Like some songs of Dowland and others, the original voice and lute combination can be reworked in SATB, as heard here.

The lyrics (by the composer) are:

Never weather-beaten sail more willing bent to shore.

Never tired pilgrim’s limbs affected slumber more,

Than my wearied sprite now longs to fly out of my troubled breast:

O come quickly, sweetest Lord, and take my soul to rest.

Ever blooming are the joys of Heaven’s high Paradise.

Cold age deafs not there our ears nor vapour dims our eyes:

Glory there the sun outshines whose beams the blessed only see:

O come quickly, glorious Lord, and raise my sprite to thee!