Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1597

Publication Date

:

1597

Average_duration

:

3:10

"Sleep wayward thoughts" is a lute song composed by John Dowland, a prominent English Renaissance composer and lutenist. The song was composed in the late 16th century and was first published in Dowland's collection of lute songs, "The Second Booke of Songs or Ayres" in 1600. The song is in the key of G minor and consists of four verses, each with a refrain. The lyrics are written in the first person and express the speaker's desire for sleep to come and relieve them of their troubled thoughts. The refrain, "Sleep wayward thoughts, and rest ye with my love," is a plea for the speaker's thoughts to be calmed and for them to find peace in the embrace of their lover. The melody of the song is characterized by its melancholic and introspective nature, which is typical of Dowland's style. The lute accompaniment is intricate and delicate, with arpeggiated chords and ornamental flourishes that add to the song's emotional depth. "Sleep wayward thoughts" is part of Dowland's larger body of work, which includes numerous lute songs and instrumental pieces. His music is known for its expressive qualities and its ability to evoke a range of emotions in the listener. Dowland's influence on English Renaissance music is significant, and his works continue to be performed and studied today.

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