When Phœbus first did Daphne love (John Dowland)

From ChoralWiki
Revision as of 22:53, 16 February 2012 by Choralia (talk | contribs) (Text replace - '{{SERVER}}/brianrussell/' to '{{website|brianrussell}}/')
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Music files

L E G E N D Disclaimer How to download
ICON SOURCE
File details.gif File details
Question.gif Help


  • CPDL #19110:  Icon_pdf.gif Icon_snd.gif
Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2009-03-25).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 99 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: SATB plus lute tablature (6-course, tenor G tuning)
Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2008-05-07).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 17 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Nwc.png

General Information

Title: When Phœbus first did Daphne love
Composer: John Dowland

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: SecularLute song

Language: English
Instruments: Lute
Published: 1603

Description: No. VI from The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires (1603)

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

When Phoebus first did Daphne love,
and no means might her favour move,
he crav'd the cause. The cause, quoth she,
is, I have vow'd virginity.
Then in a rage he sware, and said,
Past fifteen none but one should live a maid.

If maidens then shall chance be sped
ere they can scarcely dress their head,
yet pardon them, for they be loath
to make good Phoebus break his oath.
And better 'twere a child were born,
than that a god should be foresworn.

By this they get sweet mother's name,
and are not barren which were blame,
besides by this procure they can
the world a child, the prince a man.
Now Stoick tell me if in this,
that anything be done a-miss.