The lyrics were written by George Peele for Sir Henry Lee (1530-1610). In 1559 Lee made a vow to defend Elizabeth’s honour against all challengers in an annual tournament to be held on her birthday. By 1590 he was too old to tilt, and in this song he makes his complimentary and graceful withdrawal. Sir Henry was Elizabeth’s Champion for 30 years, and retired at age 60.

John Dowland wrote the music, and published it in The First Booke of Songs or Ayres (1597).

His Golden Locks

In Dulci Jubilo (14th Century German)

Veni veni Emanuel (Lyrics 9^th Century, music 15^th Century French)

Quem Pastores Laudavere  (14^th Century German)

Ther is no Rose of Swych Vertu  (15^th Century English)

Verbum Caro Factum Est   (Piae Cantiones, 16th century)

Nova Nova  (15^th Century English)

Lo How a Rose  (15^th Century German)

Salutation Carol  (15^th Century English)

Gaudete, Christus est natus (Piae Cantiones, 16th century)

The image is the broadside ballad of Unto the Prophet Jonas I Read. The excellent recording by The Baltimore Consort inspired this arrangement.

Packington’s Pound

Documentation – Unto the Prophet Jonas

Fitzwilliam Virginal Book setting of Packington’s Pound

Did you ever sing this Christmas carol and wonder why that refrain was there? It always seemed wrong to me. When I started researching it I discovered why. The “rising of the sun and the running of the deer” refrain was added long after the carol was written. I took it out.

Documentation – Holly and the Ivy

Holly and the Ivy – Duet

This is my favorite motet. I have seen many settings, but none that built up the parts the way I wanted to preform it.

Alle Psallite Cum Luya image from Montpellier Codex

Alle Psallite Cum Luya

Documentation – Alle Psallite

I wanted to perform some of the Susato dances without flipping pages to find them, so I set these three together. The salterelle is often played after the ronde with the same melody, but I thought it would be more interesting to play another ronde between them.

Three Susato Dances

Documentation – Three Susato Dances

I arranged this Martin Luther hymn for a commission. My patron wanted a German Christmas carol that could be sung by the congregation.

From Heaven Above To Earth I Come

Documentation – From Heaven Above To Earth I Come

This John Dowland song is one of my favorite to perform.

This is my documentation for the arrangement: Documentation – Come Away

The setting I use is here:  Come Away Come Sweet Love