Lachrimae

John Dowland (1563-1626) was an English Renaissance composer, singer, and lute virtuoso who was well known for his melancholy songs. The melody, "Flow My Tears", is considered one of his most famous songs and originally appeared in three versions: one for solo voice with lute accompaniment; another for four singers with lute accompaniment; and third, as a consort of five viols with lute accompaniment. The consort title of Lachrimae Antiquae is the first of "Seven Tears" in his published edition of 1604.