Amarillis, by a spring I'll tell you how the did first grow red In Celia's face a question did arise Dear, turn away thine eyes so bright Come, Cloris, hie we to thy bow'r Silde soft, ye silver floods Sweet lady and sole mistress of my love A willow garland Sabrina Fair How cool and temp'rate I am grown Sweet death come visit my sick heart Hither we come into this world of woe I burn, and cruel you Did I once say that thou wert fair? Hence, vain intruder, haste away Sorrow, in vain why dost thou seek to tempt Keep on your vail and hide your eye Oh, let me still and silent lie I rise and grieve Unto the soundless vaults of hell below Pale ink, thou art not black enough of hue My wand'ring thoughts have travelled 'round
The early English Baroque composers Henry Lawes (1595-1662) and John Wilson (1595-1674) were friends and colleagues in Oxford; both were members of King's Musick and employed at the Chapel Royal, where they worked in the immediate vicinity of King Charles I. Under the atmospheric title 'How the rose did first grow red' songs by Lawes and lute works by Wilson are presented here. Recorded in Evangelische Kirche Grenzach (Germany), October 2016. Preludes for the lute by John Wilson (1595-1674).
