This have I done for my true love (Gustav Holst)

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• (Posted 2003-05-26)  CPDL #05143:      (Sibelius 2)

Editor: Stuart McIntosh (submitted 2003-05-26).   Score information: A4, 9 pages, 168 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: The score states that this edition should only be distributed in the USA. However, Holst's works are now out of copyright in the UK and possibly other European countries as well. Please refer to this page for more information.

General Information

Title: This Have I Done for My True Love
Composer: Gustav Holst

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SATB
Soloist: Soprano (optional)
Genre: Sacred, Carol

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published:
Description: opus 34

Original text and translations

English text

1.
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day;
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance;
Chorus:
Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love

2.
Then was I born of a virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance
Thus was I knit to man's nature
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus.

3.
In a manger laid, and wrapped I was
So very poor, this was my chance
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus.

4.
Then afterwards baptized I was;
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father’s voice heard from above,
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus.

5.
Into the desert I was led,
Where I fasted without substance;
The Devil bade me make stones my bread,
To have me break my true love's dance.
Chorus.

6.
The Jews on me they made great suit,
And with me made great variance,
Because they loved darkness rather than light,
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus.

7.
For thirty pence Judas me sold,
His covetousness for to advance:
Mark whom I kiss, the same do hold!
The same is he shall lead the dance.
Chorus.

8.
Before Pilate the Jews me brought,
Where Barabbas had deliverance;
They scourged me and set me at nought,
Judged me to die to lead the dance.
Chorus.

9.
When on the cross hanged I was,
Where a spear my heart did glance;
There issued forth both water and blood,
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus.

10.
Then down to hell I took my way
For my true love's deliverance,
And rose again on the third day,
Up to my true love and the dance.
Chorus.

11.
Then up to heaven I did ascend,
Where now I dwell in sure substance
On the right hand of God, that man
May come unto the general dance.
Chorus.

Old Cornish poem from Sandys' Collection