Believed to be the son of a clergyman Weelkes was born on the 25th October 1576, at Elstead, Surry.
He was educated in New College, Oxford, and in 1598 became the organist of Winchester College. It was here that he composed some of his greatest madrigals, which appeared in two volumes published in 1598 and 1600.
He graduated from New College in 1602 and was appointed organist and master chorist at Chichester Cathedral, until he was eventually dismissed for drunkenness and profanity of language.
Nearly 100 of his madrigals survive today, many still in use in christian services, including Hosanna to the son of David.
Upon his death on the 3rd November 1623, Joseph Kerman declared:- "A society that can allow a talent of this kind to go to waste while poets best forgotten flourish can hardly be considered a healthy one from a musical point of view."
Poems by this Poet
Poem |
Post date | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cease Sorrows Now | 31 July 2013 |
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| Come Sirrah Jack Ho | 31 July 2013 |
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| Fara Diddle Dyno | 29 November 2013 |
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| Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints Above | 31 July 2013 |
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| Madrigal | 19 May 2014 |
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| The Ape, the Monkey, and Baboon | 31 July 2013 |
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| Thule, the Period of Cosmography | 31 July 2013 |
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| Tomorrow Is the Marriage Day | 31 July 2013 |
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