Sweet William – Sheet Music

Sweet William is a rather sad folk song about lost love from Worcestershire. The song tells a story and the storyteller, in this case the choir, adds the nuance and emotion to it. Have a go at trying it in several ways, with ebb and flow, varying the dynamics or the tempo.

It’s such a pretty tune that seems at odds with the story of loss. I find the words of the fourth verse particularly moving. I have tried to reflect this loss and sadness, and at times anger, in the arrangement, without (I hope!) making it too discordant.

  Click for Learning Tracks