John Dowland
John Dowland and Thomas Campion were close contemporary lute-song composers in London, both born in the1560s and dying in the 1620s. However, they seem not to have had much cooperation or contact . . . perhaps due to a difference in social class–Campion seemed more closely associated with the Court . . . Dowland had a hard time getting a job there. Campion is not known to have been a performing lutenist while Dowland was acclaimed master of the instrument in Europe as well as England.
Throughout his career Dowland was supported by members of the nobility as may be noted by the varied dedicatees of his printed works. In his late teens he was in the household of Sir Henry Cobham, French Ambassador in Paris. Already by 1588 Dowland was ranked alongside Byrd, Bull, and Morley in John Case’s ‘Apologia’; but that wasn’t enough for him to succeed John Johnson as English Court lutenist in 1594. So, in 1595 we find him on the Continent at the court of Landgrave of Hesse in Kassel complaining, ” . . . her Majesty being spoke to for me, said I was a man to serve any prince in the world, but I was an obstinate papist.” In 1598 Dowland accepted a lucrative position in the extensive musical establishment of Christian IV of Denmark remaining there until 1606, well after Elizabeth’s death. Finally in 1612 Dowland
was appointed one of James I’s lutes, probably at the instance of Lord Chamberlin, Thomas Howard de Walden, dedicatee of Dowland’s ‘A Pilgrim’s Solace’. James died in 1625 and Dowland the following year.
Can she excuse
A 4-part version of “Can she excuse” first appeared in Dowland “A First Book of Songs” (1597). It is also known as the “Earl of Essex Galliard” with the assumption that the words were written by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, pleading for his life before he was executed for treason in 1601. Here we have a later version for solo lute.
John Dowland "Can she excuse"
His golden locks
Also from Dowland ‘A First Book of Songs’, “His golden locks” is a strophic lute-song written on the occasion of Sir Henry Lee’s retirement from court in 1590. He had been the Queen’s Champion of the Lists.
John Dowland "His golden locks"
His golden locks Time hath to silver turned.
O Time too swift! Oh swiftness never ceasing!
His youth ’gainst Time and Age hath ever spurned,
But spurned in vain; youth waneth by increasing.
Beauty, strength, youth are flowers but fading seen;
Duty, faith, love are roots and ever green.
His helmet now shall make a hive for bees,
And lover’s sonnets turn to holy psalms.
A man-at-arms must now serve on his knees,
And feed on prayers which are Age’s alms.
But though from Court to cottage he depart,
His Saint is sure of his unspotted heart.
And when he saddest sits in homely cell,
He’ll teach his swains this carol for a song:
Blest be the hearts that wish my Sovereign well.
Curst be the soul that think her any wrong.
Goddess, allow this aged man his right
To be your bedesman now that was your knight.
Author: George Peel
My Lord Willoughby’s welcome home
The Lord Willoughby in the title is Peregrine Bertie who returned home from war in the Netherlands in 1589; he was Captain General of the English forces fighting for Dutch independence against Spain. The solo lute version of the ballad is from the Folger Lute Book.
John Dowland "My Lord Willoughby's welcome homee"
Sir John Smith his alman
This John Smith may be the one who was implicated with Edward Seymour of treasonable action in Essex in 1596. Can’t have been too serious since he was knighted in 1605.
John Dowland "Sir John Smith his alman"
Tell me, true love
This dialogue appeared in ‘A Pilgrim’s Solace’ published in 1612, dedicated to Lord Thomas Howard de Walden.
John Dowland "Tell me, true love"