Date:
Late 15th century (c. 1475–1500)
Description:
Alas Departynge is Ground of Woo is a poignant English part-song reflecting on sorrow and separation. The text explores the emotional weight of parting, a common theme in late medieval and early Renaissance lyric poetry. The piece embodies the introspective and expressive style of English secular music of the period.
Discussion:
Found in the Fayrfax Manuscript (British Library, MS Add. 5465), this song is part of a collection of courtly English part-songs, many associated with the Tudor court. The music is characterized by a sensitive setting of the text, with gentle dissonances and careful voice leading. It exemplifies the expressive polyphony of composers like William Cornysh or Robert Fayrfax, though the exact composer is uncertain. This song is well-suited for small vocal ensembles and has been adapted in various early music recordings.
Composer:
Anonymous (sometimes attributed to the circle of William Cornysh or Robert Fayrfax)
Arranged by:
Various modern editors; commonly arranged for SAT or SATB voices.
Sheet Music:
Available in early English part-song anthologies and from CPDL or specialized early music publishers.
The arrangement we use is available here as a pdf , mus or musescore file
Parts:
Originally for three voices (Superius, Contratenor, Tenor);
Modern arrangements often SAT or SSA.
Type:
Secular Part-song / Lament
Language:
Middle English
Ranges:
- Superius: D4 – G5
- Contratenor: A3 – D5
- Tenor: F3 – B4
(Ranges are approximate and vary slightly between editions.)
Advice for beginners:
Take time to internalize the text’s emotional tone—this is a sorrowful, delicate piece. Singers should focus on breath control, soft dynamics, and blending tightly in harmony. The relatively slow harmonic rhythm allows time to shape phrases expressively. Ideal for small ensemble settings, especially those exploring Renaissance repertoire.
Sound Files:
Here are some sound files for reference. All parts, alto, tenor