Date:
1609
Description:
Weepe, O Mine Eies is one of John Wilbye’s most expressive madrigals, filled with sorrowful imagery and intense emotional depth. It explores themes of longing and inner torment, using striking chromaticism and dissonance to paint the text.
Discussion:
Published in Wilbye’s Second Set of Madrigales (1609), this piece is a superb example of the mature English madrigal style. Wilbye uses rich harmonic language and intricate counterpoint to emphasise emotional nuance, particularly through word painting on phrases like “mine eyes”. It requires a sensitive and unified ensemble to bring out the work’s expressive potential.
Composer:
John Wilbye
Arranged by:
Originally for SSATB; modern editions available in SATB or SSATB
Sheet Music:
Available in early music anthologies and Wilbye collections
The arrangement we use is available here as a pdf, mus, or musescore file.
Parts:
SSATB
Type:
English madrigal
Language:
English
Ranges:
- Soprano 1: B4–F5
- Soprano 2: A4–E5
- Alto: F4–C5
- Tenor: C4–A4
- Bass: E3–D4
Advice for beginners:
This is more suited to experienced singers. The overlapping entries and occasional chromatic lines demand excellent pitch control and careful attention to blend. Focus on matching vowel shapes and dynamic contouring to express the emotional tone effectively.
Sound Files:
Here are some sound files for reference. All parts, soprano, alto, bass