Sheet Music: I Have a Song to Sing, O!

TitleI Have a Song to Sing, O!
from The Yeoman of the Guard
Alternate titlesThe Merryman and his Maid
ComposerArthur Sullivan (1842–1900)
InstrumentationFlute and Piano
KeyE-flat major
RangeEb4–Eb6
Time signature2/2
Tempo84 BPM
Performance time3:50
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (196 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (3.2 MB)
Play-along accompanimentMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (3.2 MB)
Date added2011-02-03
Last updated2011-02-03
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Thursday 3 February 2011

Tune of the Day: I Have a Song to Sing, O!

from “The Yeoman of the Guard”, arranged for Flute and Piano

This famous duet is taken from Act I of Gilbert and Sullivan's opera The Yeoman of the Guard, where it is sung by Jack Point, a strolling jester, and Elsie, a singer.

According to critic William Archer's book Real Conversations, Sullivan had trouble setting this song to music, due to the increasing length of each stanza. He asked Gilbert if he had anything in mind when he had written it. Gilbert hummed a few lines from a sea shanty, and Sullivan knew what to do.

The famous folk-singing trio Peter, Paul and Mary included a rendition of this song in their 1969 children's album, Peter, Paul and Mommy.

Other Movements from the same Work

A Man Who Would Woo a Fair Maid Flute & Piano
Hereupon We're Both Agreed Flute & Piano
Oh! a Private Buffoon is a Light-Hearted Loon Flute & Piano