Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1600

Publication Date

:

1600

Average_duration

:

4:27

"Time's eldest son, Old Age" is a lute song composed by John Dowland, a prominent English Renaissance composer and lutenist. The song was likely composed in the early 17th century, during Dowland's later years. It was first published in Dowland's collection of lute songs, "A Pilgrimes Solace," in 1612. The song is composed in a single movement and features Dowland's signature melancholic style. The lyrics describe the inevitability of aging and the toll it takes on the body and mind. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song: "Time's eldest son, Old Age, the heir of woes, / The inheritor of wrinkles, cares, and woes." The melody is slow and mournful, with a descending chromatic line that emphasizes the downward spiral of aging. The lute accompaniment is sparse and simple, allowing the vocal line to take center stage. Dowland's use of dissonance and chromaticism adds to the song's melancholic character. Despite its somber subject matter, "Time's eldest son, Old Age" is a beautiful and poignant work that showcases Dowland's mastery of the lute song genre. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Dowland's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the human experience in music.

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