The English poet, composer and doctor Thomas Campion established his reputation as a poet in the 1590s and published his first songs in 1601. He wrote and composed masques for royal entertainment, particularly after the succession of King James of Scotland to the throne of England as James I, and was unusual in that he wrote both words and music for his many songs with lute accompaniment.

Vocal Music

Campion’s musical legacy consists entirely of some 119 lute songs. Many of these were published in a series of four Bookes of Ayres. They include the vivid Fire, fire, fire fire loe here I burne, Never weather-beaten saile and Woo her, and win her, he that can, among a rich collection.