Happy streams, whose trembling fall

John Wilbye was one of the most celebrated composers of English madrigals. This example, for four voices (Soprano, Soprano, Tenor, Tenor), is a fine specimen of the genre, setting secular words in English. The text paints a picture of nature’s gentle sounds – streams and birdsong – enchanting a reluctant listener. Wilbye’s music captures this pastoral scene, with musical lines that flow and intertwine. It suggests a serene, almost idyllic setting where the harmony of nature might even soften a stern heart, though the final couplet hints at the composer’s own unrequited affections.