Questions and Answers

Q.: Did George Joye ever translate Song of Songs/Song of Solomon? I have seen one or two references that he did, but not been able to find a copy to view. Is it perhaps bound up with another of his works?
A: Hi,
Thanks for your inquiry. He never translated the entire book as fas as I know. Two verses (4:7 and 6:10) were contained in the anonymous Mystik sweet Rosary (Antwerp: Merten De Keyser, 1533) which is likely to be his work (sig. G6v). This is available on eebo (image 55 of the document). He might have quoted a few bits and pieces in his own translation elsewhere as well but this is all I can say at the top of my head. I hope this help. What's your particular interest?
Cheers,
Greg

Dear Greg,
Thanks for the clarification. Timothy Symons gave a lecture at Hereford Cathedral in January 2011 in which he alludes to translations of at least parts of Song of Solomon:
'With the former translations diligently compared and revised': the         
literary ancestry of the King James Bible by Timothy Symons.
Specifically, he says:
"Example 8 shows that Joye’s translation of the Song of Solomon was particularly influential. Of all the predecessors to the King James, Joye’s is the only one to use the word ‘Sharon’ instead of ‘field’, and he introduces the idea of the ‘banner of his love’.
Song of Solomon 2:1–4
Tyndale 1534: I am the flower of the field, and lilies of the valleys. As the lily among the thorns so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons: in his shadow was my desire to sit, for his fruit was sweet to my mouth. He brought me into his wine-cellar: and his behaviour to me-ward was lovely.

Joye 1535: I am the flower of Sharon and the lily of the valleys. As the rose among the thorns, so is my spouse among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved husband among the sons: and I sat under the shadow of him whom I had desired, whose fruit is sweet unto my throat. This king led me into his wine-cellar, and spread the banner of his love over me.

KJB 1611: I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among the thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Where is this 1535 Joye translation? Maybe we should contact Timothy Symons!

A: Hi, Of course, I almost forgot! This is from his second edition of the NT where in the end he produced the translation of the OT readings according to the Sarum use. It's the reading for the 'feast of the visitation of our lady' (March 25). You'll find it on EEBO, too. I do very much doubt though, that the KJV translators/revisers have consulted it!!! Sharon is just a lucky coincidence. Where Joye got his Sharon is another question (I have my suspicions for that).
I hope this helps. Let me know if I can be of any help to you! It's great to see people interested in Joye. My book on the controversy with Tyndale will come out hopefully this year with Brill.
What's your specific interest in Joye?
All the best,
Greg