Autorentext
At the age of 22 Weelkes was appointed organist at Winchester College, where he remained for two or three years. He obtained his B. Mus. Degree from New College, Oxford in 1602, and moved to Chichcester to take up the position of organist and informator choristarum (instructor of the choristers) at the Cathedral, a post he held until his death. Thomas Weelkes is best known for his vocal music, especially his madrigals and church music. He wrote more Anglican services than any other major composer of the time, mostly for evensong. Many of his anthems are verse anthems, which would have suited the small forces he was writing for at Chichester Cathedral.

Zusammenfassung
for SSAATB unaccompaniedDavid's lament at the death of Absalom may have been composed to mark the death of Prince Henry, heir to the English throne, in 1612.