Come woeful Orpheus

Come woeful Orpheus calls for a lament, as the singer seeks to emulate the legendary musician's power to move with music. The text asks for 'sowrest Sharps and uncouth Flats', suggesting a desire for music that expresses profound sorrow through chromaticism. William Byrd's SSATB setting captures this melancholy mood, a fine example of English secular part-music from the Renaissance. The intricate vocal lines weave together, creating a rich texture that perfectly embodies the plea for music to sympathise with mournful accents.