Date:
Early 17th century (c. 1601)
Description:
“My Love Hath Vow’d” is a lute song (or air) composed by Thomas Campion, one of the prominent English composer-poets of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. The piece appears in “A Booke of Ayres” (1601), a collection of songs for voice and lute, published in collaboration with Philip Rosseter. The song is an expressive, melancholy reflection on love, betrayal, and emotional steadfastness.
Discussion:
As with many of Campion’s songs, the text and music were written by the same person—an unusual feature that contributes to the seamless integration of poetry and melody. The lyrics tell of a lover’s unshaken devotion despite being wronged. The music is typical of the English lute song tradition, with elegant word setting, modal harmonies, and a flowing melody line well-suited to solo voice and lute (or keyboard).
While originally intended for a solo singer with lute accompaniment, it can be arranged for multiple voices, and is often performed today by early music ensembles or classical soloists.
Composer:
Thomas Campion (1567–1620)
Arranged by:
Originally self-arranged by Campion; modern arrangements exist for voice and piano or ensemble.
Sheet Music:
Available in public domain editions of A Booke of Ayres, as well as modern editions for solo voice and lute or piano.
The arrangement we use is available here as a pdf, mus or musescore file
Parts:
Originally for solo voice and lute, but modern performances may use keyboard or ensemble accompaniment.
Type:
Lute song / English ayre
Language:
Early Modern English
Ranges:
Typically written for high voice (soprano or tenor), but adaptable to other ranges; generally within an octave.
Advice for beginners:
This is a good introduction to the lute song style. Singers should focus on clear diction, expressive phrasing, and maintaining a conversational tone. Accompanists should aim for subtlety, supporting the voice without overpowering it. Pay attention to textual nuance and modal harmonic language.
Sound Files:
Here are some sound files for reference. All parts, soprano, bass