This devotional song was published in Dowland's Pilgrimes Solace in 1612 (No. XIII). Dowland was probably familiar with William Byrd's earlier five-part setting of the same text found in Psalmes, Sonets, & songs of sadnes and pietie, London, 1588, (no.30), but Dowland chose to set only the first verse with a few minor modifications to the words. Our recording fits to Dowland's music the fifth and final verse from Byrd's setting of the poetry.
lyrics
If that a Sinners sighes be Angels foode
from Singles by Mignarda
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If that a Sinners sighes be Angels foode by John Dowland (1563 - 1626)
This devotional song was published in Dowland's Pilgrimes Solace in 1612 (No. XIII). Dowland was probably familiar with William Byrd's five-part setting of the same text found in Psalmes, Sonets, & songs of sadnes and pietie, London, 1588, (no.30), but Dowland chose to set only the first verse with a few minor modifications to the words.
Our recording includes the fifth and final verse from Byrd's setting of the poetry.
lyrics
If that a Sinners sighes be Angels foode,
Or that repentant teares be Angels wine,
Accept O Lord in this most pensiue moode,
These hearty sighes and dolefull plaints of mine.
That went with Peter forth most sinfully,
But not as Peter did, weepe [most] bitterly.
[Thy mercie greater is then any sinne,
thy greatnesse non can ever comprehend:
wherefore O Lord, let mee thy mercie winne,
whose glorious name no time can ever end:
wherefore I say all prayse belongs to thee,
whom I beseech bee mercifull to mee.]
Additional verse from William Byrd, Psalmes, Sonets, & songs of sadnes and pietie (London, 1588), no.30
credits
from On behalf of the muses,
released February 18, 2019
Recorded live at Immaculate Conception Church, Cleveland, OH
Mignarda specializes in thoughtful programming illuminating the vibrant mingling of renaissance music & poetry. Noted for
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