Man that is born of a woman (Joseph Key)
Music files
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- (Posted 2026-01-17) CPDL #88106:
- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2026-01-17). Score information: A4, 10 pages, 153 kB Copyright: CC BY SA
- Edition notes: Includes a keyboard reduction of the a cappella choral score. Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.
General Information
Title: Man that is born of a woman
Composer: Joseph Key
Lyricist: Book of Common Prayer, 1662 (adapted)create page
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Burial service
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1774 Eight Anthems
Description: This piece, in West Gallery style, was intended for unaccompanied performance.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
He cometh forth like a flower,, and is cut down;
he fleeth like a shadow, and continueth not.
In the midst of life we are in death:
Of whom may we seek for succour, but of Thee, O Lord,
who for our sins art justly displeased?
Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty,
O holy and most merciful Saviour,
deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
So teach us to number our days that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom, before we go hence and be no more seen.
Naked came we into this world and naked we return;
The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand
at the latter day upon the earth.
And though after my skin, worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God. Amen.
Original text and translations may be found at Funeral sentences from the BCP.