Thomas Morley: Sing we and chant it.

English composer, Thomas Morley, was a staunch proponent of Italian music. He used his treatise, A Plaine and Easie Introduction to Musicke (1594) to extol the virtues of newer Italian composers and their techniques.

Morley was obviously taken with a collection of balletti by Mantuan composer, Giovanni Gastoldi, published in 1591. He borrowed tunes from and modeled Sing We and Chant It directly after Gastoldi's balletto, A Lieta Vita (To Happy Life).

Though set to voices, the Italian balletto was designed to be danced to at either courtly ceremonies or theatrical entertainments; hence, its bright and playful rhythmic qualities. It is unclear whether the English adaptations were also meant for choreographic use. Nevertheless, they retain the flavor of their Italian prototypes.

The "fa-la-la" refrains are typical of the form -- inviting imagination -- as are the homophonic settings; the repeating stanzas, strophically set to music; and the lighthearted nature of the text.

Sing we and chant it, while love doth grant it,
Fa-la-la...
Not long youth lasteth, and old age hasteth;
Now is best leisure to take our pleasure.
Fa-la-la...

All things invite us now to delight us,
Fa-la-la...
Hence, care, be packing, no mirth be lacking;
Let spare no treasure to live in pleasure.
Fa-la-la...