Dawn music

The Music of Dawn

Style summary

Arthurian high medieval, chivalric, courtly, 'high' culture, battle anthems, tales of love, glory, and tragedy.

Dawn draws on the more formal folk and classical traditions of Shakespearean/Elizabethan period, for example madrigals, as well as fantastical folk tales from the English or Irish tradition.

Commonly known songs

Pick a few examples from the list below to specifically promote as well-known within that nation. Provide lyrics and score/chords. Preferably in a range of difficulties.

A musical tradition

All sensible knights understand that for their glory to continue after death, you rely on the skill and conviction of minstrels and storytellers. What better way to earn glory and reputation than to let them see your deeds for themselves? Therefore it is not uncommon for questing knights to invite along the best minstrel they can find to accompany them on a quest - it goes without saying that the safety of the minstrel is paramount. The best singers and storytellers have a song or tale ready for the victory feast the same evening and direct retellings of glorious battles and the valour of Dawnish knights in either victory or death are always enthusiastically received!

Further examples

More examples for keen bards.

Songs

• Sweet Kate - medium difficulty madrigal for 3 female voices
• Tam Lin - fantastical folk tale, medium difficulty lyrics and recording coming soon.
• April is in my mistress' face - difficult madrigal set for SATB
• Annan Water - gloomy ballad about drowning

Instrumentation

Anything vaguely courtly using recorders, plucked strings, single drums, harps, autoharp, or similar.

Other performance traditions

Courtly dances. Find some instructions

How to adapt your repertoire

• Sing in a formal rather than bawdy style. Up the properness and pathos of your words. Strum your guitar like a lute. Roll your rrrrs!

Our sources

Credits, links to artists, further material etc.